Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Feb 12, 2009, at 3:07 PM, Marie McHarry wrote:

> Mother Jones had this article on the coming changes in weather:
> http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2008/11/diet-warm-planet
> . . . . I think we can probably quit worrying about terrorism, etc.  
> When the
> ecosystem shafts us, we're in deep doodoo. Have any of you given this
> consideration? In practical terms, I mean.

Want to rate worries? Seems to me the bigger issue is falling oxygen  
levels. Do you like to breathe?

I've looked for maps to instruct readers on projected climate change.  
Not much found that is very useful except in general terms: in drought  
areas there will be more droughts; in rainy areas there will be more  
rain; in violent wind areas, more of that. As for rising temperatures  
I am all for it; I would love to grow citrus at Heartwood.

Reduced individual energy usage will come due to the pain of rising  
prices but increasing population may negate that gain. As with many  
issues, there are viable community responses. My electric co-op has  
the right idea. We get our electricity through a consortium of  
utilities that own coal-fired generating facilities. Last year we had  
a light bulb swap: for every incandescent bulb turned in, members  
received a new CFL unit. The board found that reduced load means lower  
overhead today and less cost in the future by eliminating the need for  
new generator capacity. It's a win-win plan that means less coal will  
be burned. The calculations to sell members on the plan may be found at:
http://www.serviceconcepts.coop/coopcustom/cflpaybackhowell-oregon.htm

Besides the present economic focus, most Americans are too conditioned  
by consumptive lifestyles and day-to-day issues to take global warming  
seriously. Most of us do what makes us feel good, as with recycling  
and reusing and wearing stuff out. Lifestyle change will be resisted.  
We homesteaders live sensibly but will always be a tiny minority.

Expect change. Be prepared. Become ever more independent.

Gene GeRue
www.RURALIZE.com