______Unfortunately, many politicians today prefer to put off facing our energy crisis head on and opt to simply maintain our outdated, wasteful, and dangerous energy conversion practices. These representatives continue to profit off their lucrative connections to the gas, nuclear and coal industry representatives and thus make it increasingly difficult for nontraditional methods of energy generation to come to fruition. What’s worse, their obstinance inspires the same kind of stubborn attitude of many Americans who take their political cues from their representatives. It is time for Americans to begin to think more flexibly; S. David Freeman’s propositions on energy sustainability are timely, apropos and much needed. Although this change must ultimately be global in scope, it can start in my community; here’s how. 

______The Irvine Company, the sole landholder of land in Irvine prides itself on the creation of open spaces where citizens of Orange County can hike, bike and enjoy the little remaining bit of wild left in the county. This land is not only crucial to the karmic health of my neighbors but also to the clean air, ecosystems and as I will illustrate, the future of sustainability. These lands are areas of vast open space, arboreal and rapine. My solution would entail the utilization of these areas for energy production as well as efficient water usage and land conservation. I propose that solar panels and other energy manufacturing devices, such as hydro electric be installed in the streams, creeks and rivers throughout the wilds of Orange County, and moreover, southern California. Solar panels will harness the power of the intense southern California sun and would in no way impede wildlife or even the beauty of the land because they could be made to blend in with the natural scenery much as fake rocks around our neighborhoods are often the cover of electrical utility boxes. Hydroelectric converters in rivers and streams while perhaps not providing for all of our deficits would undoubtedly contribute to our ever- growing energy needs.

_____These solutions will do much to decrease some of the major issues facing mankind. As solar energy technology improves, it will diminish our reliance on foreign oil, decreasing not only pollution and oil dependence, but all other production costs associated with oil, construction and manufacturing, for instance. With the more efficient use of water, costs previously associated with energy can be focused on finding solutions to water shortages, desalination and recycled water for landscape, restrooms and car washes. However, the farthest reaching benefit of these types of sustainability and conservation will happen on the global economic stage. With a decrease in dependence on foreign energy and an increase in sustainable energy, the United States can begin to diminish trade deficits with oil producing countries and decrease the US’s own manufacturing costs and gain an advantage by producing cheaper items for export. Perhaps most importantly, we will have clean air for ourselves and our posterity and a reduction in environmentally-linked health issues such as cancer. The result is a more economically independent, productive and healthier America and ultimately world.