The Energy Crisis

The price of petrol is ridiculous: there's no shortage of crude oil.  Indeed, new oil fields are being discovered but remain unexploited.  NZ has enough coal to last several thousand years but even with today's pollution free technology, coal fired electricity generation is socially unacceptable.  Wind turbines are gaining in popularity (politicians are all wind) but people object to visual pollution while staring out the window at their neighbours boring houses. One small nuclear power station would be more than enough to supply NZ's four million people.  But nuclear free hands are thrown in the air in disgust.  Solar power is gradually gaining popularity and the technology is reducing in price.  Who knows what form of energy sources will be discovered in the future?  In short, there's no shortage of affordable energy in NZ.  The problems are caused by political (Big Daddy knows best) and social ignorance. The French have been generation power from ocean currents for many years.  NZ is surrounded by ocean currents and the tidal surge between the North and South Island has to be seen to be believed.  All that's needed is human will power to create non polluting renewable electricity supplies.  It's as simple as ABC in Greek.  But alas, the experts are drips under pressure and refuse to see past their pay checks that the current technologies provide. Seventy years ago Hitler manufactured artificial petrol from coal.  With NZ's abundance of coal, why can't we do the same?  Or is Hitler's petrol, politically incorrect in our world of social irresponsibility? When I went to school, push bikes ruled the waves.  Today, the bike sheds are virtually empty.  Kids are driven to school in buses or the family car.  Is there anything wrong with biking or if the worst comes to the worst, old fashioned healthy walking?  With childhood obesity epidemic, it's certainly worth a thought.  Hanging round shopping malls scoffing greasy fast food, with a cellphone stuck in an ear, does nothing for today's youth. Current education standards are encouraging politically boring conformity.  The art of thinking independently is not on the curriculum.  Is it any wonder that illegal drugs and alcohol provide a welcome relief from institutionalised politically acceptable behaviour?  The answer is obvious, all one has to do is study the cause of past revolutions.  Social oppression always leads to revolution.  This is the way mankind operates: always has done and always will do.  It's called human nature. Perhaps a revolution in energy creation is required?  In the meantime the wife and I will save a fortune with our electric scooters, and while they recharge themselves, I will continue to utilise my energy saving couch. Viva Le New Zealand?

"Where the flags wave in bulk.  The people suffer in bulk."   Broughton. Like the rest of the world, New Zealand is suffering from the energy crisis.  After much experimenting I found a way to cope with expensive and over taxed energy resources. Thinking creatively, I converted my couch into an imaginative dream machine.  While lying prone, I can travel the world at no expense.  I have also invested in battery powered scooters to visit the local shops for essential supplies of wine and tobacco.  Thus, my energetic days are spent saving money.  A dollar saved, is after all, a dollar earned.