Take a look at this map.
It's an interesting statement about how large the economies of each US state are. It's also interesting in it's sheer totality as the notes say, the total US GDP almost equals the next four economies: Germany, Japan, China, and the UK.
What I think of when I see this information though is the quandary of alternative energy. Often when Phil and I talk to people about peak oil or energy alternatives people immediately gravitate toward solutions, or what they perceive to be solutions, like wind, solar, hydro, etc.
The reality is that none of these alternatives alone can match the amount of energy oil offers.
All of these alternative used together looks a lot better but still can't match what we get from oil.
Think about how much easier it must be for one small country to refocus their attention on renewable energy as opposed to how difficult it is for that to happen here in the US.
The operative word in a discussion about energy alternatives is scalability. The amount of energy used from oil in the US is astronomical. But scaling up an alternative like ethanol would require vast amounts of farm land for corn production. That's farm land that grows food for people. It's not easy to create a balance there and when folks are changing what they grow with a profit mindset, they often don't consider the impacts.
For a more informed discussion about biofuels specifically, David Fridley is the guy to talk to.
Here he is making the case.
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2 comments:
wow, this map is unbelievable!
I think it's really interesting what you say about energy here. I have lately found myself very frustrated with the word "alternative." It seems as though green people are obsessed with it. What is the alternative to a regular light bulb? to a car? Get yourself a compact flourescent and a Prius and it seems as though, according to the message, you have done your part. You've followed those alternatives. Like you say, the view is to go to an alternative energy source like wind or solar. But, as you say, it simply won't support our current lifestyle.
I think we need to find something other than an alternative. Alternative suggests just doing something different, but still within the same framework and system. In other words, using a better bulb or better car or better energy source, without even thinking about just cutting down on the consumption over all.
Hi BreadBaker,
Thanks for the comment.
Indeed, there is a sad lack of motivation to really change at the systemic level for most people. Sure I can carry a canvas bag. I can also change my light bulbs. But, go out of my way to buy expensive organic food. No way! I'll go to Whole Foods instead, they're organic.
I read a mainstream media article today that says that the widipedia definition of green living defines it as a life philosophy concerned with being mindful of our impact on the earth. That's a good start in the right direction. A life philosophy isn't something one believes then abandons when the practical aspects of that philosophy become inconvenient. The BreadBaker's partner can attest to that, no?
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