I’ve got a writer working on a series about how Joe Sixpack can take action to deal with the pinch created by higher energy prices. So far we’ve brainstormed:
Any others? What do the dopers think?
Minimal energy cooking.
All sorts of retro ideas for saving money in other areas. Libraries and thrift stores, for example.
Simple ways to preserve food so you can buy in bulk.
Co-ops.
Bicylcles and Scooters
Assuming you are under 250 lbs, it’s really not that hard to bike 5 miles w/ a decent bicycle. Also, if under 250, and under 50 years old, a scooter will soon become a viable option. Can get up to 100 mph, quite convenient if you only need to carry a briefcase to work. (Not so hot for grocery shopping however).
Electric Cars
Not just hybrids, but cars that can gather electricity while parked in the garage and plugged in. The power plant is a hell of a lot more efficient than your V-8 engine at producing electricity. If you could deliver that to a car and store extra energy to preserve your gasoline, that’d be very cool.
Plus power plants generally run on coal/nuclear/hydro, which while not always great for the environment, are not experiencing 100+% inflation in a year.
Fun things to do at home so you don’t need to drive somewhere for entertainment (not everyone lives within walking distance of fun things).