Future View
Speaking of memories (see my last post), I was thinking the other day about the gas crisis caused by the oil embargo of 1973. For those of you who are old like me, you may remember the huge jump in gas prices (from 35 cents to 55 cents a gallon). Irate people sat in lines at gas stations to pay the high prices before the station ran out of gas completely. I had just purchased my first car. Luckily, it was a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. It had a dented door and a sunroof that leaked. I can’t say that it attracted too many girls, but it was great on gas. That was my first understanding in real terms of a global economy and of the exorbitant amount of energy we consume in the United States.
I took this picture the other day in western Oklahoma. On both sides of interstate 40 just west of Weatherford are hundreds of these massive windmills. They appear to sprout from the red soil like a crop of giant pinwheels. This is one of the ways Oklahoma, a state known for oil production, is moving toward alternative energy sources. What better resource does Oklahoma have than wind? I am proud of Oklahoma for their efforts, yet at the same time I was aware of the heavy traffic along the interstate, everyone of us dependent upon diminishing oil resources. Hundreds of trucks and cars, including my own, burned precious gas and oil. In my mind, I was tempted to think, “No big deal. Gas prices are coming down.”
Honestly, however, I am conflicted about my own use of energy. My job requires that I drive a car practically every day. I heat and cool my home with gas and electricity so that I can enjoy year-round stable, comfortable temperatures. I am a consumer, and compared to the rest of the world, I am a large consumer. This bothers me when I consider how little others have around the world and in my own country. This bothers me when I consider that within a few decades there may be no oil resources left in our world. It’s obvious that we (and I include me in that we) have not been good stewards of the resources of our world. Nor have we (including me) cared enough about future generations to protect and develop new resources for their benefit. We are a selfish society that lives in the now (see previous post) with little regard for the future.
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Joey… Dad sent me the link to read your blog. I have truly enjoyed it! You are incredibly talented - both at your photography and your writing. I am very impressed. I have been very moved by your thoughts and insights. It has truly been a blessing! You should do a book… I’d buy one!
Have a great day - God Bless. Jennifer
Jennifer, thanks for checking out my blog. I want readers of all kinds, but I especially like those who praise my work. I hope you and your beautiful children are doing well.