Cape Cod windmills

A fight is brewing over offshore windmills near Cape Cod. A fight that apparently pitches "pro-environment" Democrats, who love to promote the benefits of "alternative energy," against the developer of said windmills. A project that was given clearance by none other than George W. Bush, in the waning days of his ill-fated administration. Oh, the irony!

You will no doubt remember that the Cape is a favorite hangout for the Kennedy family and apparently the Kennedy's have been lobbying intensely to keep those ugly windmills away from their summer paradise. It is therefore probably no surprise for you to learn that the Wall Street Journal was eager to jump on this "travesty:" pro-environment Democrats rallying against green energy. And all of it happening at the inauguration of a new pro-environment president.

It turns out that progressive rich folk everywhere sing the praises of alternative energy as long as that energy production does not mess up their cherished views or intrude into their sacred world. Homeowner's associations fight the blight -and glare- of solar panels, and beach lovers rally against offshore windmills, even if such windmills are so far offshore that one needs binoculars to see them clearly.

I have said it before and I think it is worth repeating here. Anyone can call themselves an environmentalist. Anyone can wrap themselves in green and sing the praises of wind, solar, and what have you. But anyone who "needs" to live in a 5,000+ sq foot home, and "needs" to drive an SUV to work, and uses enough energy to make solar a bargain, is not to be taken seriously. That includes Nobel Laureates such as Al Gore. If Mr. Gore were serious, he would move. 

It is easy to say, we need clean energy, but there is no such thing as clean energy. All energy production  comes at a cost. The devices needed may be unsightly, noisy, dangerous, detrimental to wildlife, leave toxic waste, or be difficult to manufacture. One thing is clear, there is no free lunch. That is just plain physics and no amount of marketing can hide it.

Therefore, we should limit our energy use to what is reasonable and necessary. We should not waste it. I do not know exactly where the line is drawn but I do know that average Americans use at least twice as much energy as wealthy Europeans. Without getting anything in return. These average Americans are not healthier, or happier, nor do they live longer, or live better than Europeans. So we have a ways to go. 

If all us of cut our total energy use in half, we would solve many "problems," like the often cited "dependence on foreign oil." We can do so without affecting our real standard of living. Granted we would have to change our life-style in rather drastic ways, but all in all, the end result would be quite acceptable and we would still be as well off as we are today.

All that can be done, without buying new stuff. Without spending money -it would save money- and without grandiose government programs. Next time you see an ad that says buy green, remember, to be green, don't buy. Not buying is green. Irrespective of what it is they are trying to sell you.