Biofuels (grasses, agricultural byproducts, paper mill byproducts), wind, wave, solar, edaphic, geothermal, etc. are all energy sources that need to be exploited. We consume energy on a scale unimaginable to previous generations and no option needs to be overlooked. But our best and most immediate source of energy is conservation. People scoffed (and still scoff) at Jimmy Carter when he said put on a sweater and turn down the thermostat, but he was correct then and prescient now.
We are a wasteful society. We leave phone chargers, computers, and I-pods plugged in all the time. We run hot water down the drain without regard. We leave lights and tvs on when no one is in the room. Our insulation is typically inadequate. We drive a few blocks rather than walk or bike. And so on and so on.
Reducing energy loss will not only save us money but also save us on precious limited resources. Kristie Webber Landscaping and the Center for Green Technology on Chicago's west side have incorporated lots of energy saving innovation into their buildings that should become standard in new construction and can potentially be retrofitted into existing buildings.
Gardeners can help through green landscaping. Selecting plants that don' t require massive inputs of water, fertilizers, or pesticides save resources. Deciduous shade trees can be positioned on the south side of the home to cool it in summer. (Remember at least 30' away from house for large trees.) Evergreens can be placed on the west side to serve as screen or windbreak during winter.
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