Years ago, I used to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation on television.  While watching the show one day, it occurred to me that there was a "Star Trek Effect" happening in almost every episode.  No matter how dire the situation, science ALWAYS had an answer to the problem, and magically right before the crisis totally destroyed the crew members.  The problem was totally resolved within an hour, including commercials.  I found myself wishing that there was a "Star Trek Effect" in operation in the real world.  Alas, there isn't. 

Fast forward a few years and I'm sitting in a doctor's office with my oldest child.  The doctor was reviewing test results with me and the results were life changing.  My oldest child had a degenerative eye disease which would eventually cause her to go blind. A year later, I'd find out that my second oldest child had the same disease.  Beyond that, the doctor could tell me very little.  No one exactly knew when to expect the vision loss: it could happen next week, next year, or in the coming decades the specialist explained.  However, the specialist quickly pointed out to me, science would no doubt find a cure or something by the time my children would go blind.  No need to worry. 

I left the office that day, and after sobbing for quite a few days, I wondered about it all.  SUPPOSE science didn't rescue the day? Was it prudent and wise, as the saying goes, to put all of my eggs in the science basket? What would happen to my children if I put my eggs in the wrong basket?

Because of that, I devised a PLAN B just in case.  I had my children learn Braille.  I contracted out with a therapist who taught them to use a "white cane", and we explored technology which would allow them to function independently should the worst happen. 

While many scoffed at my "negativity", I felt I was doing what was right and continued on.  In fact, many other parents whose children suffered from the same condition often did nothing, saying things like "Why do that now? I'll worry about Braille and caning skills and all of those things once the inevitable happens, IF it happens.  Until then, it's business as usual."  Parents like these were putting hopes on the Star Trek Effect.

Despite my best efforts to provide a vitamin packed diet and UV protectant sunglasses, my children have gone blind.  Science didn't save the day for us; the Star Trek Effect didn't work. 

Seeing the Big Picture...

Exactly what does Star Trek, sunglasses, and blindness have to do with mass transit, environmentalism, and peak oil?  I see many similarities between my children's health issues and many of the environmental issues we are facing today. 

Just like my children's sight, we know that one day our supply of oil and other natural resources will run out.  Scientists are scrambling to find a "cure"-an energy cure to reduce or end our dependency upon oil.  New technologies are being developed to assist with new sources of energy which could help reduce our oil dependency. 

I think that unknowingly, a lot of people are counting on the "Star Trek Effect" to get us out of the mess.  Many people seem to honestly believe that given enough time and money, "science" will somehow find the answers to our problems by creating new technologies which will magically solve our energy woes.  Therefore, all they have to do is sit back and wait.  No worries! 

Other forward thinking people are using bio-fuels, electric (or hybrid) cars, and experimenting with hydrogen cells and solar energy. Others are making massive changes in their lives by giving up their vehicles, moving to the city where goods and services are in close proximity to wear they live.  Still others are moving closer to their jobs and using mass transit to travel.  While their efforts are to be applauded, it still might not be enough to stave off our looming energy crisis.  But they are doing something!

...Or Victims of the Star Trek Effect...

A woman named Nancy summed it up when she said, "I just don't think about it much.  Sure, I worry about the cost of gas, but that will go up and down."  I asked her to consider what might happen if the supply of oil ran out and therefore significantly impacted the amount of gas available.  What would happen then? How would that affect the cost of gas, and also her lifestyle?  "I don't think we even have to worry about that.  Even if it becomes a concern, I'm sure that the government will find some sort of solution before it impacts us all too greatly."  Her adult daughter added, "I have enough to worry about with the recession and all.  Why worry about that?"

Will our supply of oil run out? Nancy didn't seem to think so. She certainly didn't think that the issue was pressing enough to mean that she should make lifestyle changes to prevent that possibility or possibly slow down the process until viable alternatives to our energy crisis are developed.  "Why bother?"

Why YOU Should Bother

Most scientists agree that at some point, the world supply of oil will peak and then decline.  This concept is known as peak oil.  Although the issue has gotten more press time recently due to increasing gas prices, most people still either haven't heard of the concept of peak oil, or don't feel it's a problem.

 The twist is that no one will exactly know that "peak oil" has happened until after it's occurred.  No one can predict the exact time when peak oil might happen, but the science is pointing to a window somewhere between 2005 and 2020.  Once a recognized peak has been reached, a panic is likely to ensue, and the price of gas will skyrocket.  This could mean gasoline that costs $10+ at the pump.  A global energy crisis, the results of which would have dire implications for the citizens of the world. 

Create a Plan B for Your Family

Don't like the idea of being caught out?  Not a fan of the Star Trek Effect?  Thinking you should be more proactive?  You're on the right track.

What do we do now? We create a "Plan B"!  We work to conserve our supply of resources and explore new technologies which may help to alleviate some of energy woes.  We can conserve our supply of resources and lower our oil dependency by using alternative energy sources when available, and decreasing our use of current fossil fuels.  While Peak Oil has many implications (think about where your food comes from, how it is grown, what your clothes are made of, and your favorite possessions), let's focus on the transport angle here:

• Instead of driving in your single occupancy vehicle, consider carpooling, taking the bus, or the train.  You'll save money and help the environment at the same time!  If you don't have access to mass transit where you live, perhaps you can begin a carpool club. 
• Does your area have a "park and ride"? Even in rural communities, businesses allow people to park in their parking lots and carpool to work in just one vehicle.  Perhaps you could agree to meet co-workers at a park and ride and share the rest of the ride to work. 
• If your area doesn't have a park and ride, ask around to see if a local business or a church would be willing to allow you to use their parking lot as a park and ride location. I've found that most businesses are willing to accommodate such requests if their lots are large enough.
• How long is your commute time?  If your commute time is excessive (1 hr+), it would do well to re-evaluate your lifestyle.  Is it really economically feasible to live so far away from where you work?  Can you find a comparable job closer to where you live?  Could you purchase a home closer to where you work? 
• If the answer to both of these questions is no, would it be possible to telecommute to work several days a week? 
• If you are absolutely addicted to your automobile and the idea of driving, perhaps you could purchase an alternative fuel powered car.  This would save gas, and although it would require a significant initial investment, would lower your fuel bills in years to come.
• Look into Transition Towns, a worldwide effort devoted to solutions to the impacts of peak oil. 
• The key is to do what YOU can do.  Start small, but do something!

Our Plan B

One day, we will all face driving limitations due to our declining oil supplies.  My 2 oldest children will never be able to drive because of their disabilities.  Their ability to have an independent life in the rural Pennsylvania where we lived would be extremely limited.  We decided to make some significant changes to prepare for the future. 

• We moved to an urban area in southern Virginia known for it's opportunities for disabled people and it's high quality of life for all citizens.
• We live in the city in a residential section simply because that's where housing was affordable. 
• Sadly, the mass transit system is limited in the part of the city where we live, but there is a transit service for handicapped people which my children use.  A light rail system is now being built and there are plans to build other systems in the area, but it will be a while before these systems are actually completed.
• Within a ½ mile radius of our house, we can shop, eat at restaurants, go to school, do our banking, go to the post office, and get medical care. 
• The weather here is mild for most of the year, and we get no snow.  It will be easy for the children to navigate around using a white cane. 
• We continue to advocate for a better mass transit system and more mass transit options which will improve the quality of life for our children and others in our community.

We may never be able to totally extract ourselves from our oil addiction, but we can work to reduce our dependency on the stuff just the same.  Instead of waiting for "science" and technology to solve our energy problems, or hoping that "the Star Trek Effect" will kick in, we can work on "PLAN B".  As Ghandi said, "Our future depends upon what we do in the present." Do you have a Plan B for your family?

Related Reading:
Peak Oil: Half of Oil & Gas CFOs Agree We're Peaking
Introducing Transition Towns

Image Credits:
RNZFB.org.nz
Dereksleasing.com