I think we should tap the brakes on the headlong rush to decarbonize our lives. I recently read that there are over 6,000 items we use that are derived from oil and/or natural gas. In fact, the keyboard that I am using to type this letter is one of them, as are the asphalt roofing shingles that protect our home.

One item that caught my eye and relies on petrochemicals is heart valves. I hope that I never need one, but it is nice to know they are available if things “turn south” for me. I can hear the purring of the refrigerator downstairs that can certainly be powered by a non-carbon source such as wind, solar, hydro-electric and nuclear, but it would not matter as without petrochemicals, it cannot be built. Rubbing alcohol is on the list as well. Do we want rubbing alcohol to go the way of the buggy whip?

These are just a few items that we have because of oil and natural gas that make our lives a little better, a little easier. So, before we send them to the ash bin of history, let’s make sure that is really what we want to do. Nothing is ever for free.

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