I see an economic diasater coming...

[triffid]

The desert nations developed "drip irrigation" of crops.So they can turn the deserts into gardens if their will is strong enough.Politics always seem to get in the way.But we are the smart monkeys like you said so we should be able to figure things out and survive another million years.Triffid

[sparks]

  The problem I see is that the people in power that can make things happen are too busy staying in power to make anything happen.  They spend more time posturing and manuvering debating and showing how powerful they are than producing anything but krap.  Basically a bunch of animals trying to be leader of the pack.  Absolutely no idea how to lead just how to fight.  65million years later the dinosaur still roams. 

[X00013]

IMHO, Germany was the last Country to truly challenge the World Banks over 50 years ago.

[X00013]

You heat/power your home how, gas, diesel, electric, wood, coal, what % of this enegy goes out as potential energy, the State/government doesnt care, as long as you keep paying your bill to them what you could be doing yourself. Only if u could find a home Carnot cycle engine.

[triffid]

To big M .That first website on solar panels is almost a complete course by itself.I did not see a blocking diode mentioned anywhere.The second website shows a charge controller being used and how the guy brought the power into his home to be stored,then used.The first website shows the cost of building to be less than $105.00 for his panel.The third website talks about the screenprinting process of making solar cells but of course they want money.Some time ago I found the patent on that process and posted it here on OU on another thread.So I will dig it up and post it on this thread also.So Big M, thank you for sharing those websites.triffid