7 - Rethink, Rebuild, Rewire

Summary

Some think a green future is the start of world government with distant administrators telling us what to do and think. But such thinking couldn’t be more wrong. Today, most of our energy is already controlled by distant powers, whether renewable or not, either in uncaring corporate boardrooms or by autocratic state players. If we want more control of our daily lives, smaller-sized, scalable renewable energy allows us to become self-sufficient, letting us make our own decisions about our own needs. With an off-grid power setup, no one can tell me what to do.

Most importantly, no one has to go to war again in my name to secure my energy. Conservation, the circular economy, and the concept of “negawatts” are explained using everyday examples in the house, on the road, and in modern industry. Each watt not consumed is a watt saved. Ways to save energy and money through increased efficiency and changed consumer habits are discussed as is the sharing economy that sees fewer cars needed for personal use. Modern fixes to decrease the rise of greenhouse gases are discussed and the failure of government policy to limit global warming.