R3N3WABL3 R3SOURC3S

To Jimmy Cardigan, I wouldn’t have much to say besides really just sharing a chuckle. I know that people don’t like being told what to do, and in such a brash maybe even sarcastic way, but the truth of the matter is, he is right! If you’re cold, put on a sweater. Stop complaining about how high your energy is, and maybe just change the way you dress a little bit. Like I said, his statement is more amusing and comical to me, than is it offensive or rude.

In regards to the question “Is energy too cheap?” I say, no! Of course not. NOTHING can ever be too cheap. And the fact that we can ultimately control how high or low our energy bills are, we definitely shouldn’t be complaining that they are too high.

Today in class we talked a lot about alternative energy sources, my favorite being geothermal. (Not really sure why, I just think it is the coolest out of the other options) Along with geothermal energy, we have seen developments in solar energy, wind energy, hydrothermal energy and even some possible ideas in bio-fuels, example—ethanol! Hence my cute little photo of the cartoon corn that says “I’m in everything.” All of the above, pretty interesting stuff to be sure.

When it comes to investing time and money into these renewable energy sources, I wouldn’t say I’m an all the way “free marketeer” nor would I say that I am all for complete government control. (My goodness that would never be good.) I would say I fall somewhere in the middle, thinking that yes it should be my right to motivate and create, but also a role of the government to help the process along and maybe create some incentives. That wouldn’t be so horrible. I also do not think that it is wise for the government to steer us away from investing time money and brains into looking into these other potential forms of energy.

Even though I tend to quite like the idea of geothermal energy, I have to think that solar energy probably has the most potential to be a big contender of the future. I think that as time goes on, we will be able to make it more efficient, more affordable, and even more aesthetically appealing to people along with incentives to install them and maintain them in their own home.

As I mentioned at the birth of this blog and at the beginning of this course, I feel that right now, and probably in my near future I can do small things to help reduce my energy footprint. I unplug my appliances when they are not in use, I turn off lights for as long as I can and let the sun be a natural illuminant, and I try try try try to take the shortest showers possible. In the future though, I might be willing to expand my efforts and do even more. Not to mention, one day encouraging my own children the importance of saving and conserving.