The Oil Drum | DrumBeat: January 1, 2007

69 comments on DrumBeat: January 1, 2007

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Robert Rapier on January 1, 2007 - 10:53am

My Energy Resolutions for 2007

I will be moving to Scotland by the end of January, and as a result we will be selling our house in the U.S. (as well as both vehicles). This gives me an opportunity to make some positive changes in 2007. Here are my resolutions (feel free to add your own or suggest additional ones):

1). I resolve to get the most fuel-efficient car I can find in Scotland.
2). I resolve to search for a house that allows me to take public transport or my bike to work.
3). I resolve to place a very high priority on energy efficiency as I search for a new house.
4). I resolve to reduce the meat in my diet (it takes much more energy to produce meat than to produce vegetables).
5). I resolve to support local farmers’ markets.
6). I resolve to continue instilling the importance of energy conservation into my family.
7). I resolve to get completely out of debt (easy, since my only debt is a mortgage).
8). I resolve to talk to at least 1 person a month about Peak Oil.
9). I resolve to preach conservation as something each one of us can do to stretch energy supplies and better prepare for Peak Oil.
10). Not energy related, but I resolve to read at least 40 books in 2007. I read 48 in 2005 and 34 in 2006.

I expect my posting frequency to be spotty during the transition, but I hope to make substantive contributions to TOD in 2007.

Happy New Year to all.

Robert Rapier

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Not ManCon on January 1, 2007 - 11:27am

Robert,
hope you get used to the weather :-)
Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow and Edinburgh were curtailed because of the weather (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6221557.stm)

Still, looks like a good set of resolutions.

re: 2) - should be easy if you are in the Central Belt (Glasgow / Falkirk / Edinburgh); it was one of my considerations when I moved back 10 years ago

5) - having got off to a slower start than in England, there are at least 3 that I know of in Glasgow that are every two weeks or so

6) - it's hard. I still have to remind my sons to turn off lights when they are not in a room :-(

regards,
Alasdair (Not ManCon)

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Robert Rapier on January 1, 2007 - 1:21pm

it's hard. I still have to remind my sons to turn off lights when they are not in a room :-(

Ditto. I am constantly walking through the house turning off computers, Playstations, and lights. I try and try to explain why we shouldn't waste energy. I have found that it is difficult to instill conservation in children.

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step back on January 1, 2007 - 1:31pm

Ditto,

Came into the computer room to find the kids had left the computer on all night. They absolutely don't get it.

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Don Sailorman on January 1, 2007 - 1:46pm

I explained to my children and explain to my grandchildren that electricity and gasoline cost money. Kids as young as four or five can get the idea that the more money that is spent on electricity the less there is to spend on getting them stuff that they need or want. Sometimes it is hard to do this in a very gentle way, but patience pays.

A child who is wasteful at age five is likely to be a wastrel at age fifty-five. And definitely, if not by eight, then too late.

My own parents drilled a fanatical frugality into me from as early an age as I can remember--about three. I think one reason my wife left me was because of my strict habits of conservation and thrift.

BTW, it is tough to avoid a "holier than though" attitude as a stingy old man; I find that firmness, gentleness, and good humor help.

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enviro attny on January 1, 2007 - 7:22pm

My seven year old gets on my case when I leave a light on because it hurts the earth.

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WeatherGlass on January 2, 2007 - 12:12pm

If you have a toddler it's easy. Starting at age 2&1/2, I started carrying my daughter around the house to turn off lights at bedtime, or when we left a room. She gets it.

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Engineer-Poet on January 1, 2007 - 2:26pm

Put stickers on the switches when you do that. Having to remove a sticker to turn something on will be a reminder.

Maybe put a Kill-a-watt on the offending devices and charge for energy?

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hummingbird on January 1, 2007 - 11:44am

Best of luck, Robert. Keep in touch.

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Sam Foucher on January 1, 2007 - 11:58am

I read 48 in 2005

I'm really amazed by the amount of books you have read per year. Assuming that you are reading every day of the year: 365/48= 7.5 days per book! How do you do that?

Happy new year!

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Robert Rapier on January 1, 2007 - 1:23pm

How do you do that?

I just read constantly. I don't like to waste a minute, so if I am watching a football game, I am reading during commercials and between plays (I am watching the Cotton Bowl right now and reading). I read while working out, during lunch, etc. I can usually knock out 30-50 pages a day just by utilizing down time.

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Don Sailorman on January 1, 2007 - 12:31pm

Robert,
Good list!
Let me urge you to read some of the older books this year. IMO most of the most important and worthwhile books were not published during the past twelve months.

For a specific suggestion, Garrett Hardin, "Voyage of the Spaceship Beagle: Exploring New Ethics for Survival," 1973.

If you don't mind looking for a hard-to-find book, let me also recommend Earl Cook, "Man, Energy, Society," 1976.

My rule is that every time a new book comes out, I read or reread an old one:-)

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Robert Rapier on January 1, 2007 - 1:29pm

Don,

I have a list of books that were recommended the last time we talked books here. You are right, there are a lot of good older books. One of my first priorities is to get Taintor's Collapse. It seems like everyone but me has read that one. I also try to mix it up a little bit; right now I am reading Deepak Chopra (Life After Death) for the first time. I think he is full of crap, but I intend to finish the book.

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MUDLOGGER on January 1, 2007 - 8:13pm

happy new year Robert:

good luck with your resolutions:

1). I resolve to get the most fuel-efficient car I can find in Scotland.

VW LUPO / You can get a Prius but a Deisel VW Lupo does better miles for less outlay.

2). I resolve to search for a house that allows me to take public transport or my bike to work.

FAT CHANCE OUTSIDE OF EDINBURGH - GLASGOW

3). I resolve to place a very high priority on energy efficiency as I search for a new house.

BETTER BUILD FROM SCRATCH

4). I resolve to reduce the meat in my diet (it takes much more energy to produce meat than to produce vegetables).

TATTIES AND NEEPS WILL HELP

5). I resolve to support local farmers’ markets.

LOCAL FARMERS MARKET = TESCO

6). I resolve to continue instilling the importance of energy conservation into my family.

FAIR ENOUGH

7). I resolve to get completely out of debt (easy, since my only debt is a mortgage).

YOU GOT A HOUSE IN SCOTLAND?

7 TIMES AVERAGE WORKERS SALARY GETS YOU A 3 BD
HOUSE

8). I resolve to talk to at least 1 person a month about Peak Oil.

THATS EASY.... THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WHO UNDESTAND PO.

TRY TALKING TO UKGOV, SCOTGOV, LOCALGOV.

9). I resolve to preach conservation as something each one of us can do to stretch energy supplies and better prepare for Peak Oil.

NICE....GOOD LUCK...SEE ABOVE

10). Not energy related, but I resolve to read at least 40 books in 2007. I read 48 in 2005 and 34 in 2006.

BTW: Hope it works out for you and yours.

Truly.

Enjoy.

Scotland has a lot going for it... unless you are young and poor

Its young, educated people are leaving in droves.

The smart ones are heading for NZ or Canada.

I am hoping to put number 1 son off the pursuit of Pure Physics at University and steer him to plumbing.

NZ Needs plumbers.

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Leanan on January 2, 2007 - 11:20am

Scotland is a great place for book-lovers. All those wonderful used book stores...

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Don Sailorman on January 2, 2007 - 11:25am

Scotland is also a good place to buy excellent foul-weather gear, the kind used by Scots fishermen. And in Scotaland, staying dry can be a challenge . . . .

Being happy has a lot to do with being dry and warm enough.

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Aniya on January 1, 2007 - 10:21pm

Hi Robert,

Just a note to say I'm glad you started this topic! (Lots to think about.) And to wish you and your family many happy days in your new place.

And, in view of your patience with my previous questions (thanks)...I'm wondering...something hearkening back to the posts about your interview with your friend Jerry.

Is it possible, do you suppose, for people of "like mindedness" *within* the oil industry, (such as yourself) to make the proposal Jerry was talking about, when he used the word "pro-active"? (eg., to suggest companies voluntarily give up subsidies, say). (Which I assume would be part of a greater plan or announcement of some sort?)

I'm just wondering if you see any possibilities for what you might consider positive action "within the system" so to speak. If not personally (for your own situation)...(because I'm actually not trying to put you on the spot, I'm truly curious)... then in general?

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