Cost-Effective Solutions to Our Dependency on Oil

James Howard Kunstler is rightfully negative on the imminent problems society faces due to the phenomenon of Peak Oil (“End Times,” by Dan Neil, 800 Words, May 21). Anyone reading the reports of the dramatic rise in demand from China and India, combined with the steady drop of newly discovered giant and super-giant oil fields, has to know this is just around the corner. In a few short years, we will look back at this recent jump in gas prices as the beginning stage of Peak Oil.

However, I don’t share Kunstler’s negative views on what can be done about it. Electric vehicles are the most efficient form of transportation this side of walking or biking. Solar panels are extremely cost-effective when used to charge the batteries in cars, offsetting gas at $3 per gallon. We need to quickly make the jump to EVs and plug-in hybrids.

In World War II, the U.S. turned from making cars and trucks to making tanks and planes. Factories were retooled and workers were retrained to carry out the emergency needs of our country. We are once again facing an emergency of that magnitude.

Since we lack leadership to carry out this plan, it is up to us to demand the right to buy the most efficient vehicle possible, one that uses no oil but rather electricity generated from sunlight or wind.

Paul Scott

Plug In America

Santa Monica

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Kunstler is out of touch with reality. He says that there is no alternative to cheap oil. Obviously he is wrong. We haven’t stopped using oil since cheap oil is no longer available. We continue using it even though it’s no longer cheap. That is reality, Mr. Kunstler. The alternative is more expensive oil and we are using it. When a cheaper alternative comes along, we will use it.

Daniel D. Berger

South Pasadena