how could we accomplish moving from an oil based economy to a more earth friendly economy?

Answer 1

It ain't gonna happen until the oil supply dries up.
We, as a nation, have become so dependent on oil for everyday
existence, that our creative minds went to sleep. Save your
money, you will need a "bike" one day.

Answer 2

Research. The best renewable energy sources that are trasnportable are probably alcohol and vegetable oils. Developing energy saving strategies to use these and make them cheaply will go a long way toward fueling our vehicles.

On the electricity front, a large part of our energy could be taken from garbage, using incinerators, or bioenergy. The balance could be taken from nuclear (more on this in a second), wind, and solar. It would be great if all suitable homes used solar.

Nuclear energy is way cleaner than coal or oil. Coal energy releases far more radiation into the environment than a nuclear plant. Research into waste radiation storage is the next step to making nuclear more palatable. See reference below for information on nuclear energy.

Answer 3

By doing it very slowly. It needs a lot of research and development. At present there is no viable alternative capable of expanding to fill that need for many years to come.

You could cover the planet in windmills and the sea with nodding ducks, grow fuel plants and heat water with solar energy and you would still not have enough energy to supply demand now let alone in the future.

The much talked about solar panels are actually the most expensive and most polluting form of energy yet found True! The panels use a lot of energy and processes that generate a lot of pollution just to make them. They and the storage devices necessary contain heavy metals and chemicals that are very polluting and non recyclable. The panels deteriorate in efficiency quite fast as do the storage devices meaning they would need regular replacement. They may come right in the future but not yet. By the way that is not my idea on panels, it is from the official reports of a number of different countries alternative energy resource organisations!!

If we listen to much to the green spinmeisters we make make moves that could be catastrophic to the planet.

Answer 4

I am a firm believer in biodiesel. If all city governments would convert thier diesel burning city vehicles to biodiesel, that would creat enough demand to justify building new biodiesel plants, which in the long run, would in turn increase supply, which would lower the cost, which would make it more economical than petro fuels.
(Of course, in the short run it would raise the price, which might throw a monkey wrench into things.)
Biodiesel is made form renewable resources and can be used in existing diesel engines with no midification.

Answer 5

Not in our lifetime.
The changes that need to be made are so wide ranging that itd take generations to learn how to live a different way.
And the technology has to be vastly improved to be able to handle our energy needs.
Solar powered tracter trailers?
Ethanol powered cars?
People are just now accepting hybrids
Our power grids cant handle our needs now
Theyd have to be completely redesigned to handle an electrical alternative to oil.
Maybe our grandchildrens' grandchildren might see some changes but......

Answer 6

Oil is extremely plentiful & ideal. What makes it undesirable is that what was discovered, processed, facilitated & used by the west, was permitted to be nationalized by tyrants.

If oil is so un-earth friendly, why does mother earth create the trillions of barrels, more & more discovered every decade?

Addicted to oil, you bet! Water & air too.

Answer 7

By letting oil companies licence and charge us for things like sunlight, wind, and for the distance covered when we walk.

The only thing that will allow us to move from our petrolium based economy is to let the corporations figure out ways to make obscene profits from it. That's the only thing holding us back now.

Answer 8

Time. It takes time and it is taking place. Search the net and see for yourself. There's not much more that can be done than what is already in action. Read up on the presidents plan to reduce pollution. There is a plan, you just won't see it on the news.

Answer 9

If Brazil can be completely independent from foreign oil, so can we.
P.s. The irony is that most automobiles in Brazil currently running on alternative "flex fuel" (mainly from corns) are American made (GM & Ford).

Answer 10

Why would one want to "accomplish" that? I'm very happy with my SUV and all the other amenities presently available. Maybe you should try go live with an Amish community and see how you would like it.