Environmentally Friendly Fuel Sources

You might feel that you don't need to bother about the environment and that you should just do what you need to have fun. But I feel that it's our duty to protect the planet in whatever way we can. Some people think that technology has really got us into the environmental mess that we are in now. I do agree, but I also think that if technology got us into this mess, there is a chance that technology can get us out.

Sometimes people are a bit excessive when it comes to technology, buying stuff just because they see that someone else has it. They don't especially need a GPS system or digital photo frame; they just think it would be cool to have. Gadgets are great and all but I don't tend to buy something just for the sake of it.

Every action has a reaction and unfortunately there are rives that are polluted, forests that have been chopped down and people have lost their homes because of rising sea levels. We can't ignore this and pretend it isn't happening.

In terms of fuel we can't keep going at the rate we are. And this fact is reflecting on our bank balanced because of the fuel prices going up and up. Even if you don't own a car, you'll still be hit hard because of heating costs. Fuel reserves are running out and we aren't suddenly going to find a whole load more oil to exploit.

Luckily there are some very clever people coming up with all sorts of technologies that means we won't need to use so much oil and coal. Unfortunately some of the so-called "green technologies" aren't quite as green as you might think and the reverse is probably true.

People have been touting bio-fuel as the saviour that we need and will save the planet. I used to think this too. But the more I learn about the subject, the more I realize that this is one of the worst developments to have happened. For whatever reason, governments are really keen to push bio-diesel to the limits. They say it's the way forward but it's probably more because they're being given financial incentives. NB I don't have anything to back up this statement but I do know that governments are very much influenced by private money.

Anyway, the reason people seem to think that Biodiesel is the way forward is because it's made from plants which of course are renewable. However remember that people also need to eat. If farmers are growing plants for biodeisel, what are people going to eat. The supply of edible crops will go down but demand stays the same so it really only us Westerners who can afford to buy it.

In terms of cars, it would appear that the electric car is a good way forward. However that's not to say that electricity is perfectly "green." Electricity that has been produced because of burning coal is very bad indeed although there are ways of generating electricity which is much greener. Such alternatives include wind, wave and solar power. We certainly need to be concentrating solar power.

There have been reports of some scientists coming up with all sorts of alternative car engines but the car manufacturers simply buy them up only to sit on them and so they never get to see the light of day. It just costs too much money to bother. Hopefully these technologies will start to come out as governments are trying to meet emissions targets.

As many alternatives we can come up with for fuel, probably the best method of transport is simply to walk or cycle. Not only do we not require any gas but we will also get some exercise for a change. And then perhaps the obesity problem will also be fixed to a degree. Whever you are about to pick up your car keys, ask yourself if you couldn't do the same journey by foot or cycle.

Should I Ditch The Car?

My car is currently in at the garage to see if there is anything wrong with it. My worry is that there will be too much work to be done and it won't be worth it. I have owned the car for about 8 years now which is quite a long time considering most people keep their cars for a few yeras and then trade them in because they are bored. I know that it's a lot more environmentally friendly to keep a car for as long as possible but it's just so expensive and I really need to use public transport more often. Of course, going by train costs a lot more than filling the car with gas. Then again, I could try commuting by bike.

I Wish I Could Be More Green

I hate myself for the fact that I have sucummbed to so much commercialism. Luckily I'm nowhere near as bad as many but I certainly make an impact in a negative way. I eat chocolate that is wrapped in plastic and the cocoa beans have been grown thousands of miles away. Instead of farmers growing food that can be eaten for nutrition, they are growing cocoa beans so I can eat chocolate. I wish I didn't have such an impact on the planet.

We Can Do More For The Environment

I truly beleive that we are only doing a fraction of what needs to be done for the environment. So we do a bit of recycling and maybe even some composting, but does this really make up for the fact that we tend to go travelling thousands of miles every year by car or plane? I don't think so. There is a lot more to being an environmentalist that that!

Do Governments Care About The Environment?

I don't think that Governments care about the environmental one iota. They make claims that they do but then they are quite happy to travel around in private jets and helicopters. How about the lead by example and do the things that they tell us to be doing. opening up more airports and raods don't solve any problems.