Have you heard that the U.S. is full of possible, and as yet undeveloped, sources for renewable energy? Primarily solar power, but a few other sources of renewable energy, too. Some examples are wind power and ocean-wave energy. All these renewable sources have lots of un-tapped potential.

The western world has for over a hundred years relied mostly on such fossil energy sources as oil and coal. However, the "times they are a-changing" as Bob Dylan sang. We have relied on oil and coal since they have been plentiful and inexpensive. Not to mention the convenience of using these sources of energy.

By now, it is clear that we are running out of fossil energy - especially oil. Getting at them becomes harder and harder. Then there is the spectre of the Global Warming.

Personally, I believe this is a real issue. It is not that hard to realize that massive amounts of carbon dioxide are released when we burn coal and oil. This derives from carbon that has been stored deep within the Earth for millions of years. We are now releasing it into the Earth's atmosphere - in tremendous quantities.

The concentration of CO2 in the air has gone up dramatically during the last 100 years. This is a problem - and it has to do with CO2 being a "greenhouse gas". This gas tends to trap heat radiation near the Earth's surface. Therefore, the more CO2 in the air, the more the Earth's surface gets warmed up.

The effects will vary depending on location. In some parts of the world, it can lead to disastrous consequences - drought, desertification, famine. Also, the polar caps are already melting at an alarming rate. In case this continues unabated, we will have a rise in ocean levels, likely a couple of feet. If so, you can expect a watery future for such cities as New York. And if you live in a place like the Netherlands, you'd likely find your area submerged also.

OK, and what can you and I do about all this? The measure against this is to let go of the reliance on fossil-based fuels like oil. Let us turn to renewable sources, such as solar panels - they have enormous promise. Do you think solar panels are too expensive? Not anymore. There is money to be saved if you set up those home solar panels with your own very hands.

Home solar panels ought to interest you if you have some measure of self-reliance. Install them on your house, and say goodbye to those high utility bills. People in the U.S. have a great reputation for being self-reliant action-takers. So, I think they will be able to handle this challenge also.