We know they’re finite…but we’re using them as if they will last forever.
Shopping for fresh vegetables at Union Square in New York City
The residents of New York City are among the most energy efficient of all citizens of the United States. They achieve that distinction by being exceptionally efficient in two out of three of our primary energy usage categories: our homes and our transportation.
But, for the other category, they are no better than the rest of the United States. That third category is the energy that is going into the production of our food supply. And that’s the category that offers the single best opportunity to prolong the finite supply of our fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) – until renewable alternatives can be developed.
So how much could we save on that food supply category? While researching for our book, we found that approximately one third of our fossil fuel consumption (in the USA) goes to the production of livestock for our dinner tables. We also found that on a per calorie basis, it takes twenty times more energy for animal-based foods as compared to the highly efficient whole plant foods. That means that if we all shifted to eating mostly plants, we could lower our nation’s total fossil fuel consumption by 30 percent.
Subway travel in New York, the ultimate in transportation efficiency
So how can we get the ball rolling such that the average citizens are aware of our impending energy crisis and understands what they each can do to minimize the disruption to our lives when the era of cheap oil comes to a screeching halt? Until oil prices go through the roof, what can we do to influence them to change their behavior now?
We can help them understand the “big picture” about our energy supply and why they might be real smart to start living more efficiently — sooner rather than later. We can make an effort to install more home solar panel systems to cut down on our energy consumption and save money. For example, companies like California’s Verengo Solar, offering custom home solar installation, are making it easier for homeowners and ordinary citizens to join in the fight for cleaner, sustainable energy.
Chapter 5 in our book is entitled “The End of Cheap Oil” and reports on a phenomenon called “peak oil” that experts project will happen between within the next ten to thirty years. Some of the more notable experts believe that it has already happened. “Peak oil” is when the entire world’s production level hits a peak and then gradually declines indefinitely. And without abundant renewable fuels to replace that oil, prices are expected to rise sharply as the world markets realize that we have hit that peak. So what can we do to prepare for that peak? The short answer is that we can get real serious about reducing our consumption now – and thereby give our scientists more time to develop those renewable sources of energy.
My three tips for saving our finite fossil fuels.
- Eat mostly whole plants. This is the single most powerful move that we can make to save the most energy in the least amount of time.
- Change the way we live. We can look to our friends in NYC that I mentioned earlier. In a nutshell, we need to live in smaller homes with better insulation and in denser neighborhoods. Need a visualization? Think Paris vs. Houston. This change in lifestyle sets the stage for the third tip for saving energy.
- Change the way we transport ourselves. For as we live in denser neighborhoods, our needs for daily travel change considerably and mass transit becomes much more feasible. Like the good folks in NYC (and Paris), they make extensive use of their subway for both work and play. Most of them don’t even own automobiles as they commute to work via subway or bus and travel by train to other nearby cities during their leisure time.
One thing that might help the average citizen make better choices in the above three categories would be a projection of prices for the next fifteen years — for a key energy indicator, such as the price per gallon of gasoline. If you knew that the price of gasoline would go up an average of fifty cents a gallon, every year, for the next fifteen years; how would that information affect your lifestyle choices? That means that gasoline would cost $6/gallon in 2016, $8 in 2020 and $11 in 2026. My personal feeling is that those numbers are realistically possible and maybe even a bit conservative.
- Food choices. If a McDonald’s hamburger was headed to $10 and all other animal-based foods were escalating at similar rates, do you think you might be choosing more of the much cheaper plant-based calories?
- Home choices. With gasoline and heating prices expected to triple in the next fifteen years, what kind/size of home would you like to have and, more importantly, where would you like for it to be located? Do you think it might be smart to go ahead and sell that McMansion out in the boonies while it’s still worth more than you owe? And, just think how that new location might affect your transportation needs.
- Transportation choices. With gasoline headed to $11 a gallon, do you think it might be nice to reduce your family fleet from three cars to one, start using mass transit, live close enough to work to ride your bike or walk?
"It turns out that if we eat the way that promotes the best health for ourselves, we will also promote the best health for the planet." Dr. T. Colin Campbell
The problem is that no government officials are likely to announce what’s likely to happen with the cost of energy – even if they knew. Because they’d be afraid of losing votes with anyone involved with any of the industries that might be adversely affected by projections of sharply higher energy costs: automobile, meat & dairy, travel and real estate to name just a few.
As unpopular as it is to say, I truly believe that rising cost of energy today will turn out to be our best friend in the years ahead. For it will force us to consume less energy, ensure that our finite supply of fossil fuels last a few years longer and give us time to gradually adjust to a world after the era of cheap oil. It will also force us back to a much kinder and gentler treatment of our precious planet.
Click here for a blog post that addresses this entire “peak oil” phenomenon. Includes three videos. If you like what you see here, you may wish to join our periodic mailing list. Also, for help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4-Leaf page. From the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.
If you’d like to order our book on Amazon, visit our BookStore now.
—J. Morris Hicks…blogging daily at HealthyEatingHealthyWorld.com
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J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy. 
Good morning from Minnesota! Can I call you “J”? or J. Morris?
I am honored you recently included what I wrote in a post.
In my view, even though it would be the right thing to do, it would be political suicide for Mr. Obama if his wife advocated for a plant based diet. (not sure how I feel about Mr. Obama. I would’ve liked to see how Hillary would’ve done with Barrack as VP.) We certainly can try to inform Michelle O but I just don’t know how much good it would do? She’ll think of the chaos that would develop for all the people who earn a living in animal agriculture/disrupt the economy, etc. We’ve got a MAJOR problem here. In my view there needs to be a gradual changeover to plant based ag, with government helping the transition somehow.
Politicians often do the wrong thing just to keep their jobs as you know. You write:
“The problem is that no government officials are likely to announce what’s likely to happen with the cost of energy – even if they knew. Because they’d be afraid of losing votes with anyone involved with any of the industries that might be adversely affected by projections of sharply higher energy costs: automobile, meat & dairy, travel and real estate to name just a few.”
As much as I’d rather not think this, the only way there may be a quicker global transition to a plant based diet is a major outbreak of disease from a food from an animal- one that kills quickly and in huge numbers. Of course for us “enlightened folks” cancer, heart disease, etc IS caused by meat consumption, however these disease happen over time. Most people don’t switch to a healthier diet until they get sick. Most people who get sick from diet trust conventional wisdom- pills/pain/an early death. We’ve got an uphill battle I’m afraid my friend.
I have been reading every blog post you’ve written since I signed up a few weeks ago.
I agree with everything you’ve written. You write what I believe- exactly. How many like us are out there? How can we find each other? How can we band together and cause change?
Can we start a petition or mission statement?- your grass roots movement as you’ve mentioned? Can we get everyone who believes what we believe to add their names to a “list”, or “declaration of health”? so to speak. First we’ve have to have the guidelines for health written up. If people would agree to it they could add their names to the declaration/mission statement. Professionals/doctors/dieticians/celebrities/common folks like me, etc.
I think it would be really huge if especially big name doctors would band together/be on this list- to show that even if they have minor disagreements about what’s healthy and what’s not- that EVERYONE on the list would be an advocate for a healthy, plant based diet. It’s time for these big name doctors to stop quibbling, put there egos aside and band together for a common purpose. People For Plants. Doctors For Plants. Authors For Plants. Jugglers For Plants.
I spend time thinking why is there so much disagreement in life? Why are there such differences in people and what they believe in? Why such division in Democrats and Republicans? Why so much misinformation out there about diet? One such uninformed opinion called “The Absolute Truth Exposed!”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZH_EFUllDU
How can the person who made that video believe those 10 nutrition myths he lists?!!!
I believe only some of us are given the gift of intuition, eyes that DO see the truth about food, taking care of the earth and animals, while most will always have blinders on, no matter how much information they receive. I’d rather be on the right side and have the correct knowledge. No one’s perfect including me, but I’d bet my life on my beliefs about a plant based diet/taking care of the earth and animals.
There is even much disagreement even between people who overall “get it” re nutrition. There’s a very slender, smart 55 year old lady I work with- has her own garden, believes in much the same things I do re plant foods but insists it is healthy to eat fish and yogurt. She refers to the longevity of the Hunza tribe and their eating dairy.
http://thepdi.com/hunza_health_secrets.htm
My feeling is, if the Hunza would’ve taken dairy out of their diets they would live even longer!
Keep up the great work J. I’ll keep reading and try to remain optimistic and hopeful like you!
Sincerely,
Greg