Tom Friedman: Flush with Energy
I lived in Europe for three years once upon a time, specifically in what was then West Germany. Given the Germans had to import 100% of their oil, they were already into a number of energy saving policies.
For example, the first apartment we lived in had an electric hot water heater in the bathroom, but not in the kitchen. Nor did it have light fixtures in every room. We knew we weren't going to be in that apartment for our three years, so we made do by carrying hot water from the bathroom to the kitchen. The idea for savings was that you heated water for your morning bath overnight, while the electric rates were low. You didn't keep a reservoir of hot water for during the day. Also, if you went to a restaurant or a department store and had to use the restroom, then you would likely wash your hands afterward in cold water. No energy was used to heat that water, either.
This was all just part of the culture and an accepted way of living. In fact, (I forget exactly what brought up this memory at lunch last Friday) I remember a bus trip I was on touring another country. We were on the way back and stopped at an Autobahn fast food facility. We Americans lined up politely to wait our turn to be served, leaving a small gap between the person at the counter and the next person in line. Another bus came in and this one carried a load of older Germans. When they came into the facility, the Germans crowded up to the front of the line and took over the gap. This is what happens with a culture who, in the aftermath of WWII, learned that if they did not get up to the front of the line and get what they could, then would likely get nothing at all. But I digress.
I'm reminded of all that because today's commentary by Tom Friedman speaks to how Denmark has coupled discipline and innovation to become totally energy independent. There are some lessons there we need to learn.
Here's the link to the article. I hope you're able to read it and that its' not a "premium" read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10friedman1.html?th&emc=th
For example, the first apartment we lived in had an electric hot water heater in the bathroom, but not in the kitchen. Nor did it have light fixtures in every room. We knew we weren't going to be in that apartment for our three years, so we made do by carrying hot water from the bathroom to the kitchen. The idea for savings was that you heated water for your morning bath overnight, while the electric rates were low. You didn't keep a reservoir of hot water for during the day. Also, if you went to a restaurant or a department store and had to use the restroom, then you would likely wash your hands afterward in cold water. No energy was used to heat that water, either.
This was all just part of the culture and an accepted way of living. In fact, (I forget exactly what brought up this memory at lunch last Friday) I remember a bus trip I was on touring another country. We were on the way back and stopped at an Autobahn fast food facility. We Americans lined up politely to wait our turn to be served, leaving a small gap between the person at the counter and the next person in line. Another bus came in and this one carried a load of older Germans. When they came into the facility, the Germans crowded up to the front of the line and took over the gap. This is what happens with a culture who, in the aftermath of WWII, learned that if they did not get up to the front of the line and get what they could, then would likely get nothing at all. But I digress.
I'm reminded of all that because today's commentary by Tom Friedman speaks to how Denmark has coupled discipline and innovation to become totally energy independent. There are some lessons there we need to learn.
Here's the link to the article. I hope you're able to read it and that its' not a "premium" read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10friedman1.html?th&emc=th
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