what does U.S need to be prepared for a future without gasoline?

Answer 1

Very tough question... Very tough... and soul searching answer.

I don't think there is one single answer... it is really a combination of many solutions. These include scientific, cultural, social, political and fiscal solutions.

Remember that America was founded on the ability to have "Freedom"... This idea perhaps has been overspent to the point where our own personal freedom(s) will now come into direct conflict with our ability to have a nation "free" of use of gasoline (and petroleum more broadly).

The first hurdle is EDUCATION. We need to teach people the truth in how much energy it really takes to have our personal freedoms AND the great by-products that come from oil other than gasoline (e.g. the plastics in your computer, car, food, iPod, cardiac stint, syringe, etc...).

Second is to implement change with a firm hand while trying not to sound Socialistic. Mass change doesn't usually occur without some sort of incentive, either positive or negative (i.e rebates or fines/taxes). These changes could include: better urban planning, higher taxes to those who live in suburbs, better public transportation, incentives to those who purchase smaller (and I DON'T mean just the hype hybrid) vehicles (licensing fees, taxes as well as insurance rates), toll charges for those riding solo in vehicles, breakthroughs in science for battery systems (life as well as environmental impact), plant based polymers and polymer recycling, alternative energy (where appropriate), and the responsible (yet unpopular) use of nuclear energy to name a few.

In the end, for change, one has to be ready to change. I'm embarrased to say this as an American, but personally, I don't think we Americans are ready to embrace change without the resource becoming obsolete at which point it will directly and adversely affect us all. Change prior to its obsolesence requires too much sacrifice and critical thought for the bulk of the population (including our politicians)... We'll keep going until it runs out or it's too late. We'll look for someone else to blame but ourselves. Then, we'll pick ourselves up and hope we can invent a miracle at the last minute out of necessity.

Answer 2

a different view of practically everything......especially the economy..........imagine how many jobs lost & how many gained.........lets see.............you buy gas,go to work,to make money,so you can buy more gas......only you are polluting the air!.....so......we change to electric & what happens..........we buy batterys,charge them up, go to work,make money,so we can pay the electric bill & eventuialy buy new batterys[which cost about what you pay for gas annualy],so we can remain mobile.......but you say we will have clean air!..............no....the power company will polute it for us..........unless you like nuclear power,but the N,R,C, will only allow about 50% production..............imagine the electrical demand.................maybe hydrogen fuel...then we will blow our selves up.........or maybe the fred flintstone design would be best?

Answer 3

Rubber bands. Very LARGE rubber bands.

Answer 4

Hand tools, farm, flint & steel, things like that.