A wise man once said that even if democracy wasn't spreading around the world, at least dictators wanted to seem democratic by taking titles such as president.
By that same token, even if environmentalism isn't saving the planet, people at least want to appear that they're being good citizens.
The use of alternative fuels and building materials has been a theme in Douglas County for some time.
Building materials such as straw and concrete are touted for saving wood for construction.
Biodiesel and windmills are alternative sources of energy to petroleum or coal.
But none of these options can be a solution in themselves. Any one that took over for wood or petroleum would carry with it an entirely new set of problems. Continuing as we have is not an option for very long either.
That's why there is such difficulty dealing with the issues we face today.
Our habit is to look to one answer for a complex question that has many.
The eventual answer will see a mixing of the old with the new to reach a point where our culture and country are sustainable.
