The American Lifestyle

I read an article the other day that basically said that the average American household uses twice as much electricity as the same household in Europe. While that statement isn't a complete surprise, it does beg quite a few questions as to why and more importantly, what can be done about it.

Sure, we Americans lead a different lifestyle; more reliant on technology, electric appliances and gadgets, we stock food in freezers as opposed to food shopping every day, and I'd wager we've got a lot more air conditioned homes per capita than any other country by a very large margin. So is that bad? I mean, by and large, we also support that habit; on average we work more, make more money, and work more efficiently (at least in theory).

So where's the problem?

Well actually I'm thinking there's two problems here. First and foremost is the cost... what happens when electricity isn't as cheap as it currently is? And secondly, what level of waste is embedded within the usage incurred by our American lifestyle?

I have to think that unless someone finally invents a perpetual motion machine or we actually get to the level of having a cheap nuclear fusion power source, the cost for electricity will steadily increase over the next couple of decades. And possibly by leaps and bounds if we keep spilling crude oil all over the place!

So I guess what I'm saying is... Enjoy that American lifestyle while you can, because "change is a coming" and if you want to continue on with your current way of living, it's going to cost ya!