Did you know that our own American car manufacturer, Ford, has a huge presence in Europe? Most of the taxis in Paris are the Ford Focus. I started changing my life to model those of my neighbors across the pond. I started preparing smaller meals which I cooked from scratch. I started drinking a glass of wine with my dinner meal. I started making my (smaller) home more energy efficient. I started using mass transit more. (Luckily, I live near Amtrak and Metro North) I started to think more 'locally' rather than globally. I started to frequent my local Farmers Market. I started to grow more herbs (Europeans have their own gardens).

This photo, of a string of Italian Vespas, was taken recently in New York City. This mornings' New York Times released this article about the recent rise of scooter driving on the streets of Manhattan. A group of journalists banded together and drove Vespas throughout NYC and Brooklyn. Their positive opinions were touted in the article. With 75-120 miles to the gallon and a cost of approximately $4000, a Vespa, or a scooter may just be a sign of the times soon to come here in America.

The high costs of gasoline is going to change everything. Take a good look around you because you are going to see your way of life change right in front of your eyes. The whole landscape of America is going to be modified, adjusted, remapped and replaned. It's out of our hands now. We either embrace it and go with the flow. Or falter and be left behind to suffer the calamities. Our elected officials and our government must recognize our rapidly changing environment and redirect funding to modernize rapid transit (New York City invested in hybrid taxis). We must reconstruct to energy efficient buildings, build new sources to provide our towns and cities with power and reward our brewing entrepreneurs who will help all of us embrace the new life challenges that await us.

I don't know about you, but I'm excited! Granted, yes, we will feel the pangs of change but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We can all start today, right now, and make the necessary adjustments. I can tell you what I've done already: I've purchased fuel efficient cars (American made) that get between 35-40 miles to the gallon. Don't settle for less than 35mpg. I've downsized into a smaller, energy efficient home that comfortably warms me at 65 degrees during the winter months. I've stopped buying useless changes of fashionably styled clothing and shoes.