Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Green
"...Locally, a group is looking at how the Lakes Region will be affected by increased energy prices. LARELLA (the LAkes REgion Living Lightly Association) is hosting a public gathering on "The Transition Initiative...Come join with others..."
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You ARE car-pooling, right? 
Wednesday was another silent day on the lake. Even facing away from the lake, I was able to follow a Loon's progress along the shoreline as he repeatedly surfaced behind me. A single lawn-maintenance crew was also apparent on the opposite shore.
First, it was the mowing of lawns—then the leaf-blower—along a series of lawns on Tuftonboro's shoreline. Thinking of this thread, it then occurred to me that we need to act
individually.
No grass = less energy consumption + less pollution (+ fewer Canada Geese
).
Lawn mowing is not just a hopelessly inefficient/waster of petroleum, it is among our community's greatest intrusions into Lake Winnipesaukee's "rural wildness".
Switzerland bans even
electric mowers on Sunday
.
Speaking for myself:
1) I've had only a natural forest floor at my Winnipesaukee location for 54 years. Should a dandelion pop up, either a grass whip gets it first—or a groundhog.
2) Six cylinders is the largest number of cylinders in any of the cars that I've owned: it got 30+ MPG highway.
3) I installed a new solar water heater in 1982: in 1998, new owners promptly took it out in "remodeling".
4) Crediting the shading from my ample woodlands, I use A/C at the lake only about five days each season: Even in Florida—less-often than that!
5) I heat with wood—much is gathered from my winter windfalls. (And I thank Veterans
).
6) My bat-house keeps bug-numbers down—without the use of propane.
7) I own four
sailboats and own only the smallest of gasoline engines: six gallons a year is my average boating petroleum consumption.
8) My two aluminum boats will last for several decades—maybe longer—then can be recycled.
9) Except for a 7-watt night-light,
all lights here are extinguished after dark.
Generally speaking, noise accompanies the excess-energy consumption that will be impacting all of us.
If we can discipline our own
individual noise-making, we will be ahead in the conservation of petroleum. (And try to avoid new taxes on Energy
).
As a direct result of this oil spill, we
WILL get "Cap & Trade"—a world-based tax on American's use of energy.
Follow the money.
[/RANT]