You said this perfectly, if only we would stop killing each other, what a wonderful world it would be. We are not even a class 1 civilization, we are 0.7 and in a dangerous time. Think of all the good our techy stuff could do without the cost of war and lives. We are in a universe that will grow cold someday. We need to look to the heavens for new locations. We need to harness clean energy, without the dangers of nuclear waste. Read about Japan that is leaking? Has been since the accident. There are energies in the universe we need to explore, dark energy and anti-matter etc. I do hope our home planet can get a grip on what is really important. That thin blue line is very narrow. Ginnie

Thank you ginnie. You said that perfectly as well. We need to send space probes as well to escort any inbound comets,and asteroids that could threaten this amazing planet that is exploding with all kinds of wonderful life in the ocean,earth,and sky,and things like that also. This would keep us going in a healthy way,in exploration,discovery,and knowledge.

We could put people to work making solar panels in every state of the country,and this could make them affordable. We could stop war,and use the money for so many constructive uses. I wish that we would,and inspire love around the world,and not war. We could feed the hungry.

It's like that old song goes,"What the world needs now,is love sweet love,that's the only thing that there's just to little of". Have a wonderful day. BF

What I find really silly is that I live in Fla. with all kinds of sun. What I want to know is why we are not using that solar energy? Is it the electric companies that are making a profit? This shouldn't be such a hard thing to do. We could give that extra energy to other states as well. Panels are still cost prohibitive for the average joe. The matierials used are easy to produce, so I really want to know who is behind the slow up of this kind of developement?. All sunshine states could do this, and most of our energy problems would be solved. Instead we have another gas blowout in the Gulf. Of course there is no danger, even though it is sinking and on fire....right, humph. take care BF, love it that your nose is in science too. ginnie

We don't have solar panels because of the petroleum industry. They lie about everything under the sun. They somehow keep us on petroleum. They lie on their TV commercials about Fracking being safe,and that the Gulf is better then ever. Then we find out the things that they don't want us to know. Fracking(From Shale) seems to be one of the most damaging of them all. I've seen people on TV light there water hoses,and the chemicals from fracking have gotten into their ground water,and fire comes flowing out. This is not good. Again,the petroleum industries lie,and lie,and lie. Its sad. BF

Yeh I kinda figured it was the petrolium companies. Hate the new pipe line. Also really hate the fracking going on all over. I don't think the earth wants us digging that deep. The layers of our earth are there for a reason. They are doing this fracking in Yellowstone of all places. This isn't talked about. Someday they are going to hit a pocket, and wind up with a huge problem. Methane isn't exactly a stable gas. Just like in the Gulf. Notice not much is on the TV about it?. I don't think the fire is out. Ah,....if only we had wind mills, instread of these dangerous and destructive forces.
I wish our few voices could be heard in Congress, and that someone would pay attention to what is really going on.. Our resourses are finate, they will end...then what are we going to do? Unless we develope better methods, it could get quite ugly in society. Makes me sad for the generations to follow. Lets keep the hope of a better method alive. I bet there are alot of people on NT that feel the same way. ginnie

Yes, green energy is being held up by monied interests but inaddition we have other issues:
we need a new / rebuilt electrical power grid to get the solar and wind energy to cities and suberbs.
Many neighborhoods do not want the wind mills near their homes because they are "unslightly" and cause bird deaths.

Do you know that my homeowners association would not allow me to put solar panels on my roof? They would fine me and make me sell to someone else who followed the rules.


Mostly, I think we need to throw some U.S. dollars at the probablem.
Also, people need to be more educationed.
We can start with the children.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/...newable-future

Mari

You are spot on! Our electical grid is outdated. Solar storms can and do happen. We need those systems upgraded with "safe" back ups. We have a fragile planet. I don't think people realize trouble until it happens. I would put a wind mill in my yard if I could! I would use solar if it was affordable. I would live off the grid altogether if was within my reach.
Can't believe HOA would discourage solar. What a crock. I may re-locate someday, and I won't get in a HOA environment because of the rules. Too much micro managing. Looking into a small "Katrina house" as a possible way to live green right now.
Our insurance down here is corrupt, infact for all coastal communities. None of my neighbors have insurance anymore. They have outpriced themselves for everybody I know. Looking to go inland someplace, and I will find a way to live smaller and greener. I will do this if it is within my reach.
Keep posting Mari, lets all keep talking about these issues. Maybe if enough of us talk, someone will listen. The gov. listens to our e-mal and stuff anyway. Lets give them something to listen to! take care Mari, ginnie

Hey ginnie. They need to invent new,and more modern electronic grids for the future.

There was a solar super storm in 1859 that disrupted telegraph communication. North America,and Europe failed,and in some cases shocking the telegraph operators.

If that happened now,it could wipe out the electronic grids,and most electronics that are turned on,or connected.

We are to vulnerable to the suns massive solar storms that occur maybe every couple of hundred,five hundred,or seven hundred years. These storms where not noticed before 1859,because they didn't have electronics.

Our electronic grids need to be fortified. Cell phone towers need fortifying,and all kinds of things need to be made so that they can stand a massive solar storm in the future. Our magnetic field around the earth can throw off most solar storms,or corona mass ejections. BF

I did read about the solar storm of 1859. Didn't we also have one that wasn't as dangerous just a year or two ago? I also got wind from some source that the poles could reverse and disrupt the mangetic field. Nature can do some real strange things. I know the scientists watch our sun very carefully these days. I think we have one telescope up there, that is focused on the sun only. Kepler is out of comission. Right now I am reading Parallel Universes by Michio Kaku. A really good read with lots of science to back u p the claims. You might be interested in that one for sure. xginnie

I think that power went out in parts of Canada due to a solar flare within the last 30 years. I wasn't to serious. BF