Should opposition to offshore drilling be accompanied by reduction in gasoline consumption?

[taterguy]

Or is that just crazy talk?

[endarkenment]

1. US offshore and domestic oil production no more than 3% of global

oil production - regardless of where we drill or don't drill. Meanwhile we consume something like 20-25% of that global production. Drill baby drill is stupid ass pandering bullshit that americans, too stupid to bother with even a basic understanding of the issues here, have bought, like they bought tax cut fever and like they bought free market fundamentalism, the war on drugs not sold by big pharma, and all the other rightwing authoritarian idiocy of the last 30 years.

We need to reduce oil consumption because the fucking planet is running out of cheap oil. We need to convert to sustainable fuels because a) as we are running out of cheap oil there really is no choice and b) we are wrecking the planet with our use of unsustainable high-carbon energy sources. We will make these changes either consciously and with planning and deliberation, or because disaster has forced our hand.

[taterguy]

2. What do we do while we wait for sustainable fuels to become more viable?

Any suggestions?

[endarkenment]

4. Oh I don't know, how about a 700B investment in R&D?

Oh wait - we have to give that money to billionaires.

How about 800B instead of endless war in Iraq?

Better we do nothing.

[Wilber_Stool]

3. Gas rationing.

Some one has to make the tough decision and tell the American people that the days of using gas for recreation and convenience are over. Give every licensed drive 400 gallons a year. At 25 mpg that will get you 10,000 miles. If you need more, you buy it from those that need less. Like carbon credits.
But it will never be done. This hits at the very "American way of life" that we are trying so hard to preserve.

[taterguy]

5. What's your definition of convenience?

I'm being sincere, not snarky.

In my neighborhood, most people live within three miles of their job and most of them drive to work. Is that just convenience?

Couldn't most of them easily get there walking or biking?

Of course they're only driving about 1,500 miles a year getting to work so I'm not sure how rationing would change their behavior.

One more non-snarky question: What ration do corporations get? I'm guessing UPS goes through 400 gallons about every minute.