As The Prices Rise
First came the news that the rising price of gas has not slowed down our driving. According to the AP Business Writer John Wilen, (Link) government records show that most households are spending around $1,000 more per year on gasoline than last year. But our driving habits and commutes are so locked-in that we can do little to change our habits.

Then I read about the attmepted E-mail protest of high profits by the oil companies- no one is to buy gas for one day. That would hit the profits. In reality, probably not. The profits the day before and the day after would just increase. The only solution is to change habits.

Or to change fuel sources.

I came across this paragraph by Spencer Reiss at Wired.com:

So what's a price-shocked, carbon-afflicted highway jockey to do? Keep driving. In fact, drive more. The longer gas stays expensive, the higher the chance we'll see alternatives. Put that pedal to the metal. And smile when you see a big black $3 or $4 out in front at the gas pump. Those innovators need all the encouragement they can get. Shale oil, uranium, sunlight - there's enough energy out there for a dozen planets. Where we'll all park is another matter.
--from Wired.com

Sadly, I have heard this over and over, then when prices drop, we all get complacent again. I hope it doesn't happen this time. I personally don't know what alternative sources are most likely or feasible, but I have a hunch that if we could put our minds- and our money- to it, it will happen in one way or another. Perhaps too much is already invested in oil-based fuels for it to happen quickly, but that doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't happen.

I take heart in the way the compact flourescents and now, LED lights show promise for overcoming our dependence on the Edison-based technology known as the incandescent light. It's taken a long time, but there is finally movement. Cars and other oil-based products are next- even the food we eat, so greatly dependent on oil. Scary thoughts, but not impossible, I am sure.