Other countries can provide insight

In 1973, I lived in Denmark, a country soon to be transformed by the oil crises that engulfed most of the Western world. Daily, I read in the International Herald Tribune of the fights, shootings and hoardings that were occurring in the United States. The contrast in Denmark was stark. A willingness to contribute to the good of the order was the dominant attitude.

My own experiences included a mandated reduction in home heating fuel, during a cold, wet winter, and a moratorium on Sunday driving. More clothing and walking were the results. No arguments at gas stations, no hoarding, just a willingness to do what was necessary to get through this — together.

A recent article by Thomas Friedman in the New York Times reported that Denmark today enjoys successful wind energy production (20 percent of their electricity), record bicycle commuting, taxes on energy to fund research for more clean energy, waste heat recycling for home heating and hot water, and effective appliance efficiency standards.

By contrast, we hear from many in Congress that the way out of our dilemma is offshore drilling, a solution that won’t render any results until 2015 — at the earliest. We don’t learn well from others, but it may be time to try a little harder by looking at the efforts of countries like Denmark for insight and inspiration. Had we looked earlier, we would likely not be in crisis mode today, especially in the auto and energy sectors.

Why don’t we take this opportunity to change the way we identify and solve problems, to expect better leadership and guidance from those in public office, and pursue a meaningful dialogue that will accomplish for us what has become commonplace for the citizens of Denmark — greater self sufficiency and new clean and profitable industries? We might like the results.

Lloyd Weller

Everett