Oil-Dr. Thompson

OIL, wow, where do I even start. Oil is obviously one of the worlds precious resources, it's obviously running low and I believe that its over use is obviously a major factor in the destabilization of the worlds ecological balance. Like everyone else, I too am dependent on fossil fuels. I do my best to use as little as possible. I ride a motorcycle most of the time that gets 50 mpg and when I have to use a car, my 35 mpg toyota corolla isn't far behind. I, like much of America, am afraid of the time when we switch over. When gas stations are replaced by some other type of fuel, and we all have to buy new cars. I suppose it will be more gradual than I imagine but I still have difficulty seeing such a monumental change in our country. We're slow moving and I have a feeling it won't be as easy as some people believe.

Sustainability-Joe Mideros

I think Joe had a lot of interesting things to say on the subject. Our recourses are obviously not being handled on a level that is sufficient. Even if they were though, who's to say we can't keep making improvements. Slow, steady and constant improvements are the key in my opinion. My grandfather once gave me this long rant about how modern America is a reactionary society. We wait till we're sick to go to the doctor instead of eating healthy foods so we don't get sick in the first place, we spend our money till we run low and then panic and try to get more back instead of conserving it to begin with. The more I hear, the more I believe him. Even now as the worlds oceans are irreparably contaminated, landfills are full and resources low, it seems America will wait until they've run our resources into the ground before they take action and by then it maybe to late. A change needs to occur, we as a society need to begin to walk down the path that recycles, conserves and replaces conventional resources. Overpopulation is a major stepping stone in this though it may prove to be the most difficult. I am personally not opposed to China's 2 child policy, but I am curious how they enforce it. What punishment could you construct that would be effective to the degree that it would not be worth having a child, while at the same time not crossing a moral line? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Viewpoint

I wont deny that I too am programed with the preconceptions of my upbringing, (camping with my father, ocean week, the books I've read, my education and my families habits ect.) but I'm happy with where I am. The part of my life that was focused on ecology has been, admittedly, very one sided. Now that I am older, I have taken a look at the other side of the fence and tried my best to be objective. Weather my preconceptions have more of a grip on me than I realize or I simply find my views to be more logical and correct I'm certain some will debate, but I still think that what's left of the natural world needs to be preserved. Recycling needs to be encouraged, pollution needs to be shut down and the wildlife needs to be protected. So I guess what it comes down to is knowledge. Is there really some secret knowledge that justifies my beliefs opposition or do I simply know more than them? As always I believe that the education of the world would lead to the resolution of these problems. If the whole world could just try to be open minded and objectivly explore both sides of our impact on nature, I'm sure the world would begin to change for the better. Whatever that might mean.