Alternate fuel sources

Solar energy best for future

Our society will slowly shift from the non-renewable energy sources of oil and gas for heating and cooling to a renewable energy source — solar.

Nuclear is burdensome on future generations. Wind and water are geographically specific. Coal and oil are non-renewable and a major source of the greenhouse effect. Gas, which is cleaner burning, nevertheless is finite and also a contributor to the greenhouse effect. I have two proposals.

First is to use half the roof-area of apartment buildings for solar collection to turn that source into electricity. Housing complexes for senior citizens and the disabled will be much more prevalent in the future due to the "baby boom" generation. Funding for heating and cooling costs is partially picked up by government subsidies. The initial cost of the proposal could be partially funded by the government, private organizations the energy industry, private contributing individuals and corporations.

My second proposal is more to the amenability of these apartment complexes, specifically, the planting area around the ground floor apartments. This requires clean working gutters.

For older folks and the disabled, the propagation of plants is both healthy physically, mentally and socially. What is needed is available planting area, decent soil, plant material, fertilizer and water.

All can be supplied by residents except water. Rainwater is the best. Use half these massive roof areas for rainwater collection. Each building would have a collection point. They already have gutter systems and as of June 2007, they need new roofs.

Think of our older generation. Gardens have traditionally been areas for contemplation, reflection and peace. The development of a small environment propagates pride and increases the property value.

This might seem like a frivolous suggestion, it has a real value for residents and visitors alike. We must begin to think of the future.