Our next series of programs besides Living Smart will deal with the energy crisis we are facing and what to do about it. The first of the series will tackle the high gas prices and how Houstonians plan to resond. This is a controversial topic. We are the energy capital of the world. Some companies here and the thousands of employees who work there are doing very well. The consumers on the other hand are feeling the pinch of high gas and food prices. Our documentary will mostly deal with the impact of gas prices on transportation in Houston, what is in the price of oil, how did we get here and what we plan to do about it. Prior to high gas prices, most Houstonians opted for larger, less fuel efficient sport utility vehicles and full size vehicles. This obviously has changed very rapidly. There is now an ever increasing market for hybrid vehicles and diesel engine vehicles since they are more fuel efficient. The fact is this oil crisis has forced us to look at ourselves and our government's energy policy. Undoubtedly we won't be affected the same way as the rest of the country. Houston has always responded well to drastic changes. Look at how we diversified after the economic bust of the 80's. What will we do now?
Economists say this crisis will increase demand for alternate fossil fuels, such as coal, or liquefied natural gas and for renewable energies, such as solar poser, wind power and advnaced biofuels, but the question is when, how viable is it and how expensive?
Then there is the alternatives to daily commuting Houstonians will be looking at. Will more people now work at home? Will we substitute virtual travel for physical travel?
Change is in the air, and we plan to cover it. Share your ideas if you like. We would like to hear from you.
8 comments:
Wouldn't be a good idea to use this as a warning that whether the oil crisis is avoided or not, we change our ways and relinquish our dependence on this finite resource? New wells, refineries, exploration just puts off the day until we're in big trouble. Let's make future generations grateful that we started preperation, rather than hate us for the wasteful imbeciles we are.
I live here in Houston so it is fair to ask this. With the drive to get us out of our cars and into 'public' transport,
does public transport actually still exist- all our buses and trains are run by private companies who 'seem' to be profiteering (20% increase in bus tickets in the last month!)
What a curious situation. The Government are taking folk out of poverty with their policies. Now they're beginning to realise that their policies are putting the rest us IN poverty, not helped by the increases in fuel and food that they have no idea how to manage. For the sake of my children, I hope change is in the air too
ONSHORE WIND power per KW excluding the massive cost of planning and public enquires is cheaper than Coal, Gas and Nuclear.
Take the planners/government out of the equation and use Wind power to electrolysis sea water to hydrogen.
Then Oil price inflation will have little effect on this country.
The only way to avoid disaster is to jump to science and technology to answer the problem. A few Trillion $$ spent wisely in the right places could easily solve everything, less than spent in Iraq on the war.
with what i hear, houston is one of the feww place that is on a relative winning side of the gas problem. Hopefully the potential rise in oil prices will not cause a deep depression with high unemployment.
I believe things might get worse before they get better. I am saving my money..Eating at home. Driving less, talking more on the phone instead of driving. I also refuse to leave my area for parties..I am now a self declared loopie (inside loop)
This blog and many of what you say links to an article in houston Chronicle today about the nationwide jinx that Houston is in some sort of oil bubble,insulated by the oil gains and corporate profits. I am a native Houstonian so I can only pray that we stay afloat
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