Barrel of Oil vs. Bubble Gun

Yes folks, the bubble is about to burst!

Barrel of Oil = $142
Bubble Gun = $5

On a hot summer day, which sounds like more fun??

Check out last winter’s version, with oil at $90/barrel…

“ ‘Psychological impact’?” Mr. Obama said. “In case you’re wondering, that’s Washington-speak for ‘It polls well.’ ”

The article is full of zingers from Obama; another favorite, referring to McCain’s idea to offer a $300 million prize to any scientist who can develop a longer-lasting car battery (presumably to make electric cars more viable):

“When John F. Kennedy decided that we were going to put a man on the Moon, he didn’t put a bounty out for some rocket scientist to win,” he said. “He put the full resources of the United States government behind the project.”

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Rethinking the Country Life

Higher fuel prices are finally moving some Americans to start reconsidering their choice of sprawling suburban and exurban homes, far from their jobs, and with no public transportation.

“Living closer in, in a smaller space, where you don’t have that commute,” he said. “It’s definitely something we talk about. Before it was ‘we spend too much time driving.’ Now, it’s ‘we spend too much time and money driving.’ ”

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Brazil Seizes Livestock to Protect Rainforest

In global environmental news, Brazil is making moves against cattle ranchers illegally grazing their herds on protected rainforest:

“No more being soft,” [minister of the environment Carlos Minc] told reporters in the capital, Brasilia. “Those that don’t respect environmental legislation, your cattle are going to become barbecue for Fome Zero,” he said, referring to the government’s food program for the poor.

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Gas prices knock bicycle sales, repairs into higher gear

Four-dollar-a-gallon gas is good for business — if you run a bike shop. Commuters around the country are dusting off their old two-wheelers — or buying new ones — to cope with rising fuel prices, bicycle dealers say.

Hey, if the Parisians can do it, why not New Yorkers? Look how much fun they’re having!

Paris Bike Culture – Cycling Sociably, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness].

And, on a similar note:

Gas Prices Send Surge of Riders to Mass Transit

Michael Brewer, an accountant who had always driven the 36-mile trip to downtown Houston from the suburb of West Belford, said he had been thinking about switching to the bus for the last two years. The final straw came when he put $100 of gas into his Pontiac over four days a couple of weeks ago.

“Finally I was ready to trade my independence for the savings,” he said while waiting for a bus.

His *independence*… wow!! Personally, I love the independence of letting someone ELSE do the driving while I read, listen to podcasts, look out the window…

“God, deliver us from these high gas prices,” Twyman said. “That’s all they have to say.”

THAT should work, right?

According to a San Franciso Chronicle article, Rocky Twyman has been traveling around the country staging pray-ins: “God is the only one we can turn to at this point,” said Twyman, 59. “Our leaders don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring.”

To his credit, Twyman also points out that we mortals have to take some responsibility for ourselves:

Twyman knows his approach to gasoline prices may sound simplistic. He’s quick to point out that anyone praying for cheaper fuel also has an obligation to do something more active about the problem.

“People have to walk more, leave those cars at home, and carpool, man,” he said. “We have to become more practical.”

Well, yeah. And for a few extra spiritual points, how about this:

photo by ACUPOFGREENTEA

Government sustainability initiatives may have greater success when framed as responses to energy volatility than to climate change. In the short term, expanding capacity margins through energy conservation will make the City more resilient to volatility, while expediting PlaNYC initiatives. In the long term, we need to push discussion far past PlaNYC’s current goals, and start building a post-petroleum economy now.

The good news is that a national project to make clean energy cheap can restore domestic manufacturing, create millions of jobs that can’t be outsourced, and stimulate the economy, while improving our quality of life and mitigating climate change. New York City’s leadership can help make such policy actions a reality, while ensuring a better future for our citizens. What’s the next step for New York City?

Here’s a link to the summary version (the whole report is 50 pages long!).

Oil vs. Pashmina, originally uploaded by Sustainable Flatbush.

One Soho scarf vendor’s take on Peak Oil.