This is new "technology" I was at the Green Building Conference in Boston last week. It's sort of like Trobe wall and a little like TAP panels. It's pretty proven technology. I know an architect that installed some in an outbuilding in Ashfield. They're also cheap (around $1600 ea) and easily installed. No running plumbing to the roof.
Anyhow, you have to see it coming. You have to just stand back and think about it. Putin controls the gas and much of the oil pipelines from Central Asia to the west. China is very close to central Asia and what may be the largest natural gas reserves. Via Afghanistan also not so far from the mid east. Those people may be nuts.
The Mideast is pretty spooky and the foundation it's built on was built by crazy people.
This is a true story. At the secret conference in France where the Europeans were divvying the collapsed Ottoman Empire all of the chief negotiators died of the 1918 flu. Because of the secret nature (from US Pres. Wilson) of the conference they accepted the provisional maps proforma. The more you know about it the less you'll want to base any future on that region. Get the f' out.
Take responsibility for your energy needs as much as you can. Be responsible.
Ride to work.
$10 gas will be cheap, and not when my income goes into the stratosphere.
The Clinton years featured oil around $20 a barrel. it bottomed out at about $8. The economy soared. Coincidence? Sure, it's multifactoral, I admit. So, in essence world supply is questionable for many, may reasons.
It may be a strategic error to pull out BUT It's not in anyones interest to see that area go to pot. Maybe a real multinational force will have to move in. Maybe the emerging giants of China and Russia will step in and take some of the role of keeping the area stable?
You think China wants to see and end to cheap oil? You think Russia wants chaos so close to Chechnya? Nope. Everyone benefits from America's policing of the Mideast. We've been a patsy and whipping boy footing the bill. If they like cheap oil so much to make lead tainted toys step right up.
Maybe others will look after it. Not every problem requires an American solution.