With oil at a record price of $139 a barrel

[Aussie leftie]

What a perfect opportunity to learn to deal with the situation in a practical way. Here in Australia we are paying almost $8 a gallon. I now walk more. I make less trips into town in the car. Driving a bit slower helps the gas to last longer. Car pooling also helps. Public transport can also be a good option.

We are now starting to realize that petrol is a finite resource and that the good old days of zipping around in a big old "oiler burner" with the air conditioner going is over.

Cars over 4 cylinder should be taxed off the road unless the owner can prove that he/she has a legitimate use for them.

Insulation is a much better option for houses instead of air conditioning. And as I've said before - hang out the washing instead of putting it through a clothes dryer.

[bhikkhu]

1. Its a big pill to swallow, but I am doing all those things too.

I walk the kids to school, have a 4 cyl car (and just got rid of a 6 cyl car), and am planning on insulating this summer in anticipation of winter heating bills, putting up a clothesline, and I don't use air conditioning anyway.

I was raised to not even think about such things, however, as energy was such a slight issue. We all expected to be driving flying cars on autopilot by now, from one luxury climate controlled comfort zone to the next...

Now I expect to walk and bicycle much more this year than the last, and much more next year than this.

[Aussie leftie]

2. Every cloud has its silver lining

This walking and cycling habit might end up making you healthier. Good on you.