Peak Oil: Decisions

An observation worth noting … and pondering, from Jorge Madrid, Kate Gordon, Tina Ramos:

The United States’ prolonged unwillingness to develop a long-term, sustainable energy strategy has left us with a daunting challenge—the need to run a 21st century economy using 20th century energy sources and infrastructure. Our energy choices, or lack thereof due to the dominance of fossil fuels, have caused irreparable damage to the environment and public health, have caused our country to forego countless economic opportunities, and have made us far more vulnerable to fossil fuel price volatility than ever before. Not to mention that our relentless inaction on climate change mitigation and adaptation has left every state’s communities, local economies, and natural resources at risk.

And this is a problem? Imagine that!

It’s fine to have our own philosophical and ideological beliefs. At some point, however, those positions collide with facts. When that happens, as it invariably does, decisions have to be made. Better they be made with knowledge of and understanding those facts.

With that as the base, one can decide on the merits whether it’s best to stand on principle no matter what, or find a means to preserve the beliefs which matter most while adapting to the realities at hand. Failure to make compromises when needed can leave one with beliefs intact and no viable means of expressing them to anyone other than the person in the mirror.

We have some energy supply matters, and we have a warming planet. The facts are there for all to see. Choosing to deny them all; seeking some irrational basis about conspiracies instead; or following the lead of “leaders” who increasingly have an agenda very different than that of their constituents … there are consequences to each and all of those options. They’re inevitable.

There will only be so many more opportunities for us—collectively—to set aside the ideologies and deal with the facts about our energy supply and warming planet. Failure to take the time now to understand all of the considerations, not just the ones which make us feel better and less discomfited by what’s at stake and what roles we must play, will leave us with no option but to endure painful, stringent adaptations forced upon us. That’s not nearly as good an option as it sounds.

How much longer should we rely on a decision-making process marked by selected, self-serving facts as the sole basis for acting in our own—and our children’s—best interests now and in the many years to come? We own the choice….

Peak Oil Matters