Jeroen asked about littering in the US. I would say that littering--throwing trash out of your car--would be almost unthinkable in the US, at least in the social groups I am part of. It would be almost as bad as smoking indoors! Maybe it's different in other parts of the US, but here in the NW throwing trash out of your car would be viewed with shock and horror. Oh, and we do have all kinds of public service announcements begging people to conserve water and energy. It doesn't have much effect, because there is very little economic incentive to do so. Why go to a lot of effort when it's only going to save you a few pennies a month? That being said, there are some huge energy efficiencies that some people seem unaware of...like having the heat on but the windows open! Jeroen, super-efficient homes have been available since the 70s, at least as far as heating and cooling. It's not mysterious...just lots of insulation, tight windows, semi-subterranean, careful orientation to the sun, and wise choice of materials. I think people don't like these houses because they don't look right to them. A foolish notion, I agree. But the building industry builds homes that it thinks people will buy. I agree that they partially shape public opinion, but they are also led by it. If there were a strong demand for efficient homes, they'd build them. But if that efficient home is harder to find a buyer for then there will be very few made, even if a small market exists. Builders typically don't build specialty homes that only a few people would appreciate, they build homes that will turn around quickly. So even if there is a market for efficient homes the risk for the builder is too great. ===== Darryl Think Galactically -- Act Terrestrially __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
