Juneau%26#039;s dilemma a wake up call? In April, avalanches knocked down transmission lines and residents found themselves threatened with a 5-fold increase in utility bills.

Juneau quickly powered down.

Stores went partially dark. Neon lights were turned off. Clothes were hung on -- gasp -- clotheslines.

An energy expert from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory even visited to offer advice.

Do you think that some of the habits the residents acquired will stick? Could this be a wake up call that we can lower our energy use when motivated to do so?

and check out my answer here and the links

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Permaculture was the solution to the massive problems of the early 1990s known as the Special Period. Cuba lost half their oil overnight, lost 80% import and export markets, food was scarce; people started to starve. They had a food crisis; they were unable to import food, farm chemicals nor use machinery to grow food by conventional means. Government could not act quickly enough so gave the power back to the people. Cuba HAD to become self sufficient and sustainable and fast.

So they did. There have been substantial benefits in Health due to improved diet and an increase in exercise from bike riding/walking/gardening. They have had to develop networks so community is strengthened and many say they have a much better quality of life than ever before. Their new values of cooperation, conservation and curtailment have enriched their lives. Cuba has a lot to show the world with how to deal with energy adversity.

However, the Special Period is over and I understand that the motivation for many is declining as new consumer goods are available in the shops. The queues for mobile phones, for example, are legendary.

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Other Answers (2)

• Ball-buster bills for power for our homes, cars and appliances, including water as well as land for garbage disposal will probably come in that order, not that it hasn%26#039;t already arrived in some places. If it comes down to it, we may have to choose between not eating or eating in the dark and cold. It%26#039;s happening elsewhere because productivity couldn%26#039;t keep up with consumption.