An energy crisis was the last thing most people ever thought that they would have to worry about. However, it is hard to deny the fact that we are currently living through an extremely stressed filled economy. Retail prices are constantly rising; while employment rates are constantly falling. The approaching winter signals the beginning of the inevitably higher heating bills. It is a thirty or forty dollar charge every time your car visits the local gas station. Even though energy costs are going out of sight, there is a greater dilemma that is steadily forming. What if the suppliers of petroleum suddenly decide to severely limit their production quotas? This would have an even greater impact on us.
Some people are exchanging their petroleum based home heating system for one that functions on some other kind of energy; natural gas, electricity, geothermal or even solar. Automobiles are becoming smaller and more energy efficient. Different models of automobiles are also being introduced; for example the hybrid car and the electric car. Ethanol, a corn based supplemental fuel is now showing up on the gas pumps.
The use of sweaters and sweatshirts has decreased the need to raise the home thermostat a degree or two. Homeowners are suddenly inspecting their out of date windows. They are replacing them with the new extremely energy efficient ones. Additional insulation, which has been needed for a long time, is now finally being installed in the walls and ceilings of many homes, both new and older ones.
However, living through a crisis of any kind, be it financial, personal or energy will, in the end, make us a stronger, more self reliant group of people.