EDITORIAL - Energy alternatives

Long before we were distracted by the latest political scandals, we were already worried about soaring oil prices in the world market. The prices have not stopped rising; each month, each week, crude prices hit record highs. And local pumps promptly reflect the price surge. There is no immediate relief in sight as oil supply and prices become increasingly sensitive to political developments around the world.

In the long term, holding the world hostage to the oil supply is bound to boomerang on the oil-producing nations. Industrialized countries are racing to reduce their dependence on imported oil, developing technology powered by energy extracted from indigenous sources, energy that is almost always more environment-friendly than anything from fossil fuels. Due to positive consumer response, leading automakers are scrambling to produce more hybrid vehicles, which dramatically reduce gasoline consumption. From agriculture to construction and even heavy industries, scientists and engineers are racing to harness energy from the sun, water, wind and plants.

The Philippines should go along with this trend, encouraging the use of alternative energy sources even as the government promotes fuel conservation. In addition to hydropower, geothermal energy and natural gas, the government should support research in harnessing solar and wind power. Other countries are investing in research on extracting fuel from agricultural products such as coconut, corn and even bamboo — products that the Philippines has in abundance — and even from garbage. At this point extracting fuel in commercial quantities from such sources seems remote, but any idea that will reduce dependence on fossil fuels deserves to be explored.

In the meantime, Filipinos will have to conserve energy. Little things will count a lot. The use of gas-guzzling vehicles and air conditioning can be limited. Instead of using laundry washers and dryers, households can revert to hand washing. There appears to be no relief in sight from soaring fuel prices, and everyone must start getting used to the idea that the world should wean itself from dependence on crude oil.