Replies

1. 
   Starbreak_Spatterlight | Jun 04, 2001 10:08am | #1

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   Good news for once. I'm surprised that air conditioning went up so little with all the migration to the south and the new construction there.

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   Courtney_Ostaff | Jun 04, 2001 10:22pm | #2

   *Hey James - where'd you get that picture?

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   Rein_Taul | Jun 05, 2001 04:38am | #3

   *Interesting. It doesn't say anything about how far people are driving in their guzzlers to get to their homes. Maybe it balances out with people moving back into the city in some areas and sprawling out in others?On that note, I saw a study about a year ago (I can't remember in what magazine) that discussed the alarming number of children that have no sense of direction. It seams they get chauffeured everywhere and can't find their own way around. Maybe they should walk to soccer or school once and a while and save a few gallons.

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   Frenchy_Dampier | Jun 05, 2001 05:46am | #4

   *Dein, The reason many kids are driven to and from various events is two fold. First for security. No responsible parent wants to find out that Jr. was kidnapped or something because they had to walk/ bicycle to and from soccer. It is a much more complex society then when we were growing up. Second because the neighborhood school is now some mega complex that may be reached only after crossing a freeway or two. The mega complex school is built because in order to lower the costs of educating our kids they build larger and larger schools in an attempt to incorporate economies of scale into the education process.

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   FredB | Jun 05, 2001 06:47am | #5

   *Interesting. Guess the Seal'em Up and Control Ventilation program has reduced energy at the home site. I wonder what the net balance would be if the cost of manufacturing and installing all the new stuff were subtracted from the apparent savings?

2. 
   Phill_Giles | Jun 05, 2001 07:40am | #6

   *Not just the schools are becoming more distant, since sports became so organized and formal, they're oten at great distance. Also, I'm sure the laws are different everywhere; but, 'technically' in the area I live, it's illegal to allow a sub-twelve year old to be outside of adult supervision for more than a short time period (I can't remember if it was 15 minutes or 30 minutes for an 11 year old). I don't think it's enforced too strictly for kids going to school; but, leave a 10 year old home alone to go to the store and something goes wrong, or someone complains, and you can be in trouble.

3. 
   Rein_Taul | Jun 06, 2001 01:17am | #7

   *Frenchy,- The most dangerous streets are abandoned streets. If people got out of their cars and walked more, there would be more eyes and ears on the street. - Schools, malls (another part of the problem) and children's activities are spread all over hell's half acre because people choose to live in sprawl conditions. They choose to raise their kids in this environment (supposedly suburbia is ideal for kids) and as part of that choice need to drive them to their activities. The only things that will correct these problems are responsible urban planning and/or outrages gas prices. Unfortunately, responsible urban planning is not popular in North America, so fuel costs will likely be the final motivator. It's a free country (yes even in the US not just Canada!) that freedom leaves plenty of room for stupidity.

4. 
   Rein_Taul | Jun 06, 2001 01:18am | #8

   *Phil, I think that law came about to prevent kids from being abandoned in casino parking lots. :-)

2. 
   James_DuHamel | Jun 06, 2001 01:18am | #9

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   Here's something I ran across that I found interesting. You might too.

   Seems like the only place we really cut down on consumption over the last 20 years was in heating our homes.

   James DuHamel