It should be obvious by now that oil is no longer a practical energy source. Who in their right mind would say that a disgusting, environment-killing, wasteful, limited source of energy is worth any more investment?

Well reading today's news, as most of America is, I couldn't help but notice that the gulf of mexico is bleeding. I should add, this has been going on for a while. Now we're left with a sea full of oil, an ecosystem of dead and dying animals, and a population of very angry people. Putting all the blame on the company that brought about this catastrophe is unfair when the oil-thirsty society we maintain demanded that oil. There's a bright side that has leaked out of the spill: hammering in the message that oil isn't just dangerous as a burned gas, it's dangerous as a crude substance. CO2 emissions are incredibly hazardous to our planet in the long run, but if society needs a quick wake-up call right here and now, this is it!

This morning I'm looking out my window, and I couldn't help but notice that there's not a cloud in the sky and there's a steady breeze going through the trees. Two sources of potential energy right out the window. Meanwhile oil is buried deep underground, sometimes best found beneath miles of ocean. The terminology for solar and wind energy is 'alternative sources', but why on Earth should the most readily available sources be labelled 'alternative'. Not to mention that they aren't nearly as dangerous as oil and nuclear fuel. You know what happens when a wind turbine explodes? Nothing.

I'm not an expert, I don't have power, and I don't have answers to how society can rethink it's energy policy. I do know that this isn't just an issue for America, it's a world concern. More research is needed into the fields of solar and wind energy, as well as many other greener sources, before they can fully replace oil. The transition isn't going to take place tomorrow, but it has to happen. It should be obvious by now, but is common sense enough to inspire change?