How can the US become energy independent, and how do we get the people to accept the required changes?

Answer 1

There isn't a single answer to this question. It is going to require a multi-faceted solution. We need to increase our efficiency, certainly, through tough fuel efficiency standards on new cars sold in America. Also, we need to diversify our electricity production by adding new, safer nuclear plants, and increasing the use of wind and solar power. And finally, we must increase our own domestic oil production to help bridge the technology gap until alternative energy sources are available.

Our biggest problem right now is that none of our politicians are offering comprehensive proposals. The democrats only want to talk about conservation, and the republicans only want to talk about increasing production. It's going to take BOTH, folks!

Answer 2

First, we have to create a de-centralized system that is dependent on local resources, not international ones, to support the energy needs of its citizens. Think geo-thermal, landfill gas, effective public transport, wind energy etc. In this way, not only are renewable resources put to good work, but less energy is expended in transferring said energy over vast distances, creating even more dependecy on fuel itself, in a vicious cycle.

Then, convince Americans that we don't really need to drive everywhere, that not everything needs to come in a plastic bag, and that when we recylce products we actually save money, as well as the environment which has somehow been sustaining our all-consuming asses for so long.

I am praying that when Gen Y finally gets into power as the countrywide decision-making population, perhaps some logic will prevail and we might survive the next 200 years.

Answer 3

The republicans managed the congress for 12 years until eventually a year in the past January. they have also had the white abode for 15 of the previous 30 years, all of those because the perfect ability disaster in 1979. previously you blame the Dem's for "maximum" of the topic first tell me of one idea made through Reagan, both Bush or the republican congress that would want to have prevented the topic. you could also pick to tutor your self on the topics. each and every ability source has experts and cons. a acceptable get mutually is the disposal of nuclear waste from reactors. we are having worry coping with the waste we've already got, now to not instruct that from destiny new reactors drawing close line. you're also forgetting that until eventually really lately it replaced into more cost-effective for the oil agencies to import oil than it replaced into to detect and convey it locally. there is various blame to bypass round from the Dem's to the Reps to the oil agencies or maybe to the consumers. As persons we've not carried out some thing to reduce our own intake. If we did it would have a extra prompt effect than drilling in Anwar or everywhere else. through ways, the commercial equipment grew .06%, not 6%.

Answer 4

The higher the price of oil gets, and the longer it stays high, the greater the market pressure will become to develop alternatives. Not saying that I don't want the price to come down, mind you.

How to become energy independent? In the short term, reduce our dependence on foreign oil by drilling some of our own. In the long term, offer tax credits to companies that develop viable alternative fuels, and to people who invest in them, such as ethanol and hybrid cars.

Answer 5

I don't know but I know that the answer is not buying a car that gives you 15 miles per gallon of gas and those are usually american cars so energy independent and people with no jobs... Maybe our corporations need to think what there are doing.

Answer 6

The only way this country can get even close to achieving those goals is to get closer to environmental disaster. People don't like to give up conveniences of life...and politicians (policy makers) don't like to take difficult stands that can cost votes, until we're all faced with extinction or at the very least, "observable" health and environmental decline. That's "observable", not scholastically demonstrated. We as a people don't respond well to intellect, but prefer to see the world falling apart in front of us, then respond....if there's time.

Answer 7

I'm all for what you say but we have too many people that don't give a toss and increase our demand for oil products...stupid, fat, lazy people that are all about material things and not the USA's future!!! If everybody conserved a little each day, we'd have $2.00 a gallon gas prices but then then big oil would find away to exploit that thanks to our fearless leader who will go down in history as George the Liar!!!

Answer 8

How about we remove the patent constraints on any and all inventions that address the problem? I bet the tip of the answer is already out there under the thumb of some corporate patent holder who would rather we maintain the status quo. Who killed the electric car? the rotary engine? who gains if we keep burning fossil fuel? I bet he holds the patent on an alternative that would put him out of business.

Answer 9

The first part of that question is easy to answer; Corn, beets, sun and wind. Given the brain washed nature of the American people the second part would be much harder to answer. It would take an awful lot of spine transplants, that's for sure.

Answer 10

At current the fastest way to reduce oil consumption would be to introduce nuclear reactors and invent new fuels for automobiles, will it happen? Not ethonol is actually cheaper than gas.