A while back I posted "Some Thoughts on the Potential of Technology to Offset Energy Crises" which drew an interesting response. The subject was on the value of energy efficiency as a means of reducing our carbon footprint, slowing America's disproportionately large contribution to global warming, and taking steps toward a foundation for relocalisation.

One respondent said, "..it gets down to this: "Do you think that promoting a fantasy world where each of 6.5 BILLION inhabitants is entitled to a powered transit vehicle can SCALE?" It is obvious that this is virtually impossible (at the moment), probably impractical, nor required.

But it brings up an important issue. What should we do to make the most personal energy efficient choices to ensure the survival of humanity. Is the best strategy for all of us be to strive to become carbon neutral, using renewable energy and an absolute minimum of fossil fuel? Or should we take steps to begin to adapt for a world with very expensive fossil fuels, struggles to aquire the remaining reserves, rising sea levels, and all the rest of the effects of global scorching.

The respondent suggested that "the window of opportunity (within a capitalist paradigm) will not allow the market for "lifeboats" to mature fast enough to have meaningful consequence. I hold the view that collapse will be sudden and our survival lies in numerous small scale solutions, locally derived."

I hold the opinion that lifeboats are not meant to mature. Real lifeboats, which I hold a USCG Certificate to operate, are not built to be converted into pleasure yachts. They are built for one-time use in a hazardous environment. They are the means by which people can transition from a sinking environment to another that better offers a promise of long term survival. I believe that, given what we know as of today, most people will try to "shelter in place" as long as it is above the high water mark and not further threatened by a hord of refugees.

I agree that if we could know, with a reasonable amount of certainty, how the chips will fall we could craft an adequate strategy far in advance of the events. The history of America holds little evidence that we will react this way. What we tend to do is similar to the reactions to warnings that the S.S. Titanic was vulnerable to sinking. Our reputation (outside of our borders) is of a people who are lousy preventers but good at finding solutions to crises that we create.

I think Kunstler is correct in predicting an "economic shit storm". This is in keeping with the notion of a "sudden economic collapse". However, if the shock value of that (and similar predictions) has a positive effect as a warning, a sudden collapse might be avoided. A more protracted collapse would be preferable. If it was drawn out long enough we might have the time, wisdom, and resources to adapt with less trauma.

I think that the current ECLAPA response could be best summed up as, "Let's slow the Titanic as much as possible while we try to get the engines in reverse. It is a seamanlike response. Given the perilous nature of the waters, course, and speed, it's the only reasonable option,

So I return to what may be the best first step. If you have read this, you have been warned. Lifejackets will be required and lifeboats must be readied. If you don't have them you can start to work on getting it today.

You won't have to do this alone and there is help. You don't have to do it our way, and I'm excited to see whose design and approach will be most effective. I'm continuing to reduce my carbon footprint here at home. I'm working with others on a "how to" video for making energy efficient dwellings using real life, tested, models.

Until the new video's done, I'm recommending Mike Tidwell's "Fighting Global Warming: One House at a Time" available from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (www.chesapeakeclimate.org). Mike made a 90% reduction in his carbon emissions, A second helpful video, more appropriate for renters, is Jeff Barrie's "Kilowatt Ours" (www.KiloWatt Ours.org).

We're waiting to see what others come up with, especially on the West Coast, in Western Europe, and Japan. Those areas are regarded by us Northeasters as being on the cutting edge. I don't want to waste time reinventing the wheel. What's been your response to these challenges?

But I'm forced to return to the question of "who best knows which way to go". Do we continue to mitigate or do we prepare for an inevitable collapse? I'm not looking for opinion, there's enough of that around the Delaware Valley. I want the data. Until I see that, I'm going for zero carbon footprint.