Jul
23
The GOP’s new slogan, “Find More, Use Less” is useless.
Ok. Let’s talk a little about the realities about the oil market.
- The Oil market is global. This fact has historically kept prices lower for the US because ther is greater world supply then what is present locally. Regardless of our current conservation efforts, prices are still rising because global demand from countries like China and India continues to increased.
- Speculators negatively effect the oil market for consumers. Once the US government opened up the futures market to non-consumers, pure paper speculators, the market has become more volatile.
- The oil market is still just a market, thus the rules of supply and demand drive prices and behavior.
Let’s break this down a little further.
Find More.
The US oil companies are making win fall profits on the constricted supplies. Though this might not be driving their behavior, they already have leases to drill in the Gulf of Mexico that have not been explored or exploited for more than a decade. This is because the oil companies, like all business, don’t actually have the unlimited resources to explore and develop.
Even if they start to drill in those areas or got access to the wildlife reserves, what do you think the benefit would be to the consumer?
Nothing (see point 1 above.)
The additional oil supply, which would likely only be an increase of 1-3% at maximum, would just go into the global market and fulfill the global demands. The people who would benefit most are the oil companies and the politicians they support.
Use Less
I am a strong believe in conservation, but this wont solve our problem either. Frankly, the free market has been working to benefit the US. Because of the high prices, gas efficiency standards have improved. In December 2007, CAFE standards received their first overhaul in more than 30 years! Most all of the major car manufactures are reducing their truck fleets and making battery powered cars!
So what can the government do? Well, regulating the speculators would be a great first step. And here is a thought, why not use the Market to effect positive change. Since the high gas prices has made car companies change their fuel efficiencies without government regulations, and it has consumers moving close to their work or taking public transportation, why not use the tool of tax to drive better behavior? What if our government actually raised taxes on gas and diesel? Used the taxes to further curb demand and use the funds to give incentives for truckers and farmers to transition to more fuel efficient or non-fossil fuel based equipment.
Frankly, since we live in a free market. I bet you prices would even drop when it became apparent that the US was serious about reducing the Oil consumption. Funny that, but we don’t have the political will for such actions since the oil companies help elect our representatives, like Senator John McCain. He has taken on the traditional GOP party line because he is funded though the traditional GOP channel, big business. That really disappoints me.
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Jul
22
Mathra’s spawn still lives. The Safer Pantry Pest Trap that uses pheromone that attracts the male moths does work but only better slightly better than any other sticky surface. They are not very intelligent or fast moving. We also spend time killing most of them by hand with ease and the vacuum cleaner is always a safe alternative for those hard to reach areas. Apparently this is going to be an issue for a long time to come so we have taken to using Lock & Lock food storage to store and protect food we don’t keep in the frig or freezer. I bought these containers on Clement Street in the Richmond.
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It works well though we are not storing any grains. I am hoping they decide to move out before we are forced to.
From original post: http://dennismueller.org/blog/?p=19
Jun
16
So in my eco-friendly desire to be a good citizen, I have purchased on too many organic bulk food items without understanding the real risk and consequences of my actions. You might think, well he is doing a good thing but you would be wrong! Because of my foolish green eating hippy ways, I have gave birth to Mothra and she has spawned hundreds of followers who have now taken over my house. AHHHHHH!!!!
The Indian Brown Moth is a nightmare. It is nigh impossible to destroy and infests almost any food, packaged or not. Only way to really get rid of them is to remove anything that might be food or breed upon, and yes, they eat about anything. This is really difficult since they don’t need to lay eggs only in food.
So here is the tid bit to help you prevent an infestation (note the prevent part):
Put all grains, rice and pasta in the freezer for 4 days after purchasing. This will kill any potential infestation.
If you are an unlucky soul like me, here are a few good sites on what to do to combat the problem. I will let you know how it turns out in the next few months.
http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/domestmoth.htm#moth2ctrl
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/insect/05598.html
Once you take the steps above, you can also use the Safer Pantry Pest Trap that uses pheromone that attracts the male moths. There is no poison involved…
May
15
I am a NPR freak. I have a long commute and listen regularly to the new. I heard on the radio today that Thursday should have record breaking weather in SF, above 90 Degrees in the city and on our beaches! Just after that they reported on how the ice packs are at 50% capacity thus mandatory rationing will likely be needed in the East bay shortly followed by a summary of a speech John McCain gave in Portland on “human-caused climate change” his plan for a mandatory cap and trade system of carbon emissions. When the Republican presidential nominee seriously talks about carbon emissions, one has to admit it really is time to do something.
Now I don’t really believe that weather or a hot day is a clear signs of climate change but it still has a visceral impact. The idea that beaches in SF could be as hot as 90 degrees in May is kind of shocking. So I felt motivated to check out my household’s carbon footprint. I did it on several different sites (PG&E had the highest estimate) and they were all about 16 Tons/year for Karen and me (glad I traded in the sports car for a hybrid 2 years ago). Short of moving closer to work and changing my landlord’s appliances in my apartment, I can easily offset my household’s carbon emission for about $200/year. It sort of feels weird to just throw money at the issue but hey, if it means more trees are planted or old growth forests are funded and preserved, then who am I to argue with the free market economy.
Here are some links:
Apr
23
After ONLY four months of waiting it is finally here.
I can officially be called an eco-warrior. Not only do I recycle, I now own a Pruis. It is the most technologically advanced cars I have ever seen and even with my aggressive driving I am actually getting 45+ mpg! But I really can’t wait until I can use the carpool lane. Soon there will be no slowing me down, short of the 100 hp engine of course. 
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