Sustainable growth key to weathering economic storm

We finally hit the magic number: $4 for a gallon of regular gasoline.

While we slept safe with the knowledge that we at least dodged the price spike over Memorial Day weekend, come Monday morning we received a rude awakening.

Fewer commodities have risen at such alarming rates with so many economic ripples as the price of oil. We've been suffering for the better part of a year in anticipation of this benchmark, but predictions are that it's going to get worse.

Already, the cost of having to send shrimp boats out for the day's catch has escalated alarmingly. Goods and services, from peaches at the roadside stand to the air-conditioning repair guy's house call to the surcharge placed on a pizza delivery, indicate that it's more expensive to live, and most of it is related to the price at the pump.

This is the first time gas hit a national average of $4 a gallon, which correlates to about $140-a-barrel oil — also historic.

According to the Lundberg Survey on Sunday, gas jumped an average of 20 cents in the past three weeks. Lowcountry folks didn't need a survey to note that: We saw gas at $3.80 just before Memorial Day and watched as it climbed to its current number at the same stations. Diesel, which fuels our trucks and shrimp boats, reached a whopping $4.76 a gallon in the same period.

The good news is that we're not utterly doomed. Sustainable energy plans need to be given a more serious look. Mass transit, alternative fuels, conservation tax credits, alternative transportation and solar, biomass and wind alternatives are becoming household ideas, not merely gimmicks in progressive cities or by the wealthy.

Local leaders, experts and residents will come together to discuss our future and current energy needs during a sustainable energy workshop. The discussions are part of the county's comprehensive planning process, and sustainable energy will be a new component of that plan, which guides the future growth of the county.

The county has solicited the help of Terry Logan, a former Ohio State University professor emeritus of environmental science and president of N-Viro International. Logan was one of the leading U.S. scientists studying pollution in the Great Lakes, and he helped developed the international agreement for restoration of the Great Lakes in 1978. County officials are hopeful that residents will lend their knowledge and voice their concerns in bringing about positive change. Over the years, ideas such as bringing a viable mass transit system to all of Beaufort County — talks then included adding buses and even a ferry system — have yielded little outcome simply because the necessity didn't exist as it does today. Watch the line of rush-hour commuters span the Broad River heading in either direction, and you'll find most cars are have just one occupant. Also, many are still gas-guzzling behemoths — large SUVs, full-size pickups and the like.

Look, too, at the lack of people either walking or biking. Northern Beaufort County is notoriously absent a decent trails system for those who could be biking or walking to work or other places. And the sky is the limit when it comes to harnessing wind, water, solar and biomass alternatives.

If we want to maintain a decent quality of life with this soaring cost of living, it's going to take a massive culture shift. The best way to prepare is to become a part of the solution.

Take part in the county's free sustainable energy workshop, 9 a.m. to noon Friday at Palmetto Electric Cooperative in Hardeeville.

Reservations: blindsay@bcgov.net or 843-470-2734.