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An abundant supply of energy
could be made readily avai/–
able for al/ humanity -
but
only if we /ooked for it in the
right direction.
by
Will iam R. Whikehart
A
CRISIS OVER
energy - whether
~
real or imagined - does ex-
ist. In fact, over the past few
months, it seems that more time has
been spent in attempts to find solu–
tions to this crisis than to most other
problems combined.
Yet, if we stopped long enough to
think about it, we would have to
admit that most of the so-called so–
lutions proposed thus far are not
solutions at all . Most are merely
short-term, stopgap measures which
never permanently eliminate the
underlying
causes
of the crisis.
Isn't it time we looked at the one
lasting
solution
that, if imple–
mented, would eliminate those
causes permanently?
lt involves radically different ways of
thinking - and approaches to life -
at every level of human endeavor.
It involves controlling the overall
power demand by eradicating so–
ciety's overdependence on problem–
spawning energy systems.
It
involves tapping appropriate ener–
gy sources for constructive purposes.
Why Society ls Overly
Dependent on Energy
Our energy problems will never
be solved as long as the selfish de-
26
mand for power remains uncon–
trolled.
The philosophy of "growth for
growth's sake" and the creed of
"make a buck, no matter what the
cost" have created an addiction for
ever-increasing amounts of fuel,
electricity, and heat - the dimen–
sions of which are difficult to grasp.
Sorne one million barreis of oil are
burned every hour for worldwide
energy needs. Total global demand
for petroleum is doubling about
every ten years.
The whole selfishly motivated
economic way of life of the indus–
trialized world has created this
seemingly endless spiral of demand
for energy and raw materials.
Consider these facts. Few com–
modities of the modero age are
made to be durable. Merchandise is
often deliberately given a short life
span. Many so-called consumable
products are used once, then dis–
carded. A whole range of goods and
services is largely disposable.
In addition to this staggering
waste, short-lived military endeav–
ors use vast quantities of valuable
energy. Jet fighters and bombers
consume large volumes of high–
grade kerosene. Military trucks,
tanks, and other arrnored vehicles
hum great quantities of gas and oil.
And, of course, the impressive flo–
tillas
oi
warships the world over use
petroleum at prodigious rates.
On the domestic scene, a major
factor contributing to the current
energy drain is the very way in
which the urban monstrosities we
call cities are built. Construction
and maintenance of urban struc–
tures alone consume enormous
amounts of energy. Note this state–
ment from the U.N. Center for
Housing, Building, and Planning:
"The demand for construction of all
kinds during the last half of the 20th
century
will
have exceeded the total
volume of building throughout the
whole of human history."
The never-ending urban struggles
against crime, drugs, pollution, and
poverty consume sizeable amounts
of energy. So does the huge output
of power required to build and
maintain urban transit systems.
Studies show that about 25 per–
cent of the total land arcas of most
cities in the industrialized Western
world are strictly devoted to the au–
tomobile. In Ca t;fornia's smog–
shrouded Los Angeles, the figu re is
55 percent.
Trucks and trains loaded with
goods and foodstuffs for urban con–
sumers voraciou sly burn fue l
around the clock.
Even car production takes its toll.
The U. S. auto industry alone con–
sumes the following:
• One fifth of the nation's steel
output.
• Three fifths of its rubber.
• One third of its glass.
Huge amounts of power are con–
sumed each weekend by the vast
armada of recreational vehicles and
PLAIN TAUTH April 1974