The stars in the sky and the price of oil.
The top story in today’s New York Times Science section is the closing of Harvard University’s [Cambridge, MA] Oak Ridge Observatory in Harvard, MA. The reason? Light pollution due to encroaching development. The article mentions efforts by Arlington and West Medford Representative Jim Marzilli to address light pollution by requiring larger reflectors on streetlights that cast more than 30% of their energy upwards. The lighting industry has defeated his efforts several times. My question for the environmentally inquisitive; With crude oil trading at close to $60 per barrel [[[I’m old enough to remember $5 per barrel.]]] would the savings of these better street light fixtures make sense to municipal budgets and the balance of trade, [not to mention lessen the need for military incursions?] Anybody?
Update 7/8: The connection between U.S. domestic energy usage and Middle East foreign policy has been acknowledged by an apostle of the mainstream media. TV newscaster and author of “The Greatest Generation”, Tom Brokaw said on David Letterman, “If we don’t get our snout out of the oil trough, our relationship with that part of the world will continue to be … uh.. complicated.” I had asked a question pursuant to this of former Chairmen of the Council of Economic Advisors and current Harvard economics professor N. Gregory Mankiw. Unfortunately, in his view of journalistic ethics, I’m not allowed to tell you. More as the situation develops.
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Brandon Colker
February 26, 2015 @ 12:04 pm
Brandon Colker
the guy by the door » Blog Archive » The stars in the sky and the price of oil.