In about 10 days, we will select our next president and the 2009 Congress. There will be some changes in our laws and new programs to confront our energy and financial situations and difficulties overseas.

But voluntary changes may be an easier way to boost our internal strength. There are also some reforms that won’t require an act of Congress (beset by lobbyists from corporations and pressure groups) and subject to outbursts by unscrupulous media figures, seizing on prejudice and distrust.

It will be very hard to alter our high energy consumption by laws or regulation. But a new non-government organization (let’s call it “Green”) could be formed, made up of interested citizens, working part time in donated community spaces or unoccupied buildings. “Green” could advocate for reduced speeds on highways, main roads, etc.

But instead of changing the speed limits, attach to the bottom of existing speed limit signs a Green (actual color) number for those who want to increase their vehicles miles per gallon. For example, to each 65 mph sign, attach a small green 55 mph sign underneath. This will remind every one who seeks to conserve their fuel to drive more slowly. I feel that these small green signs will provide a timely reminder to slow down enough drivers to save some fuel.

The “Green” organization could have Web sites in most communities to let interested drivers contact others (registered with “Green”) who wish rides to shops, work, parks, etc. for pickup and get transportation for a nominal charge. This can also save fuel but will rely on trusting others and foster community spirit, which has declined in modern America.

Also those who invest in tree planting (to offset their vehicle’s CO2 emissions) will have a “Green” certificate on display in their side window. (I described this idea in my Oct. 19 column.)

Another change to conserve energy will be to reduce the large amount of petroleum used in plastic bottles and plastic grocery bags. This amounts to about 90 million barrels of oil per year in America!

This would be voluntary, but I would hope that eventually each major grocery chain would start charging a penny for each plastic bag provided to their customers. It would not be a major burden on consumers, but it would “nudge” them towards using reusable bags, also available at these same stores.

Another voluntary change would be for the major chains to start charging an extra nickel for each plastic bottle they sell (deposit). Then these same chains would return these deposits to their customers upon returning these plastic bottles (washed out) along with their past receipts for purchasing these same bottles at that store.

Eventually these disposable bottles could be replaced by refillable bottles, as is the practice in Europe. In time, the use of refillable bottles would reduce the great amount of plastic being sent to our landfills, littering our roads and floating in the oceans, lakes and rivers. A similar program could be done for aluminum cans, whose recycling saves a great amount of electricity used in forming the aluminum cans from ores.

As for trash and garbage, Americans generate 4.4 pounds per day per person. This is twice as high as Germany.

It would be appropriate for the private garbage pickup companies to quickly weigh garbag or trash bags they pick up. Then these companies could add to the bills of those tossing out more than the average weight and give a reduction to those tossing out less than average weight.

Their customers would then think as they purchase throwaway objects (driven by convenience) rather then objects that can be reused a number of times. Leaves can be composted rather than being sent to landfills.

Stores could sell small windup bathroom timers, to allow people who take showers to be more aware of the water flow (typically a gallon a minute). Long showers can even use more water than an old fashioned bath.

At the state level, I would hope that the tolls paid on roads could be reduced for fuel efficient cars while keeping the tolls the same level for all other vehicles. A similar reduction might be offered to private vehicles with more than one passenger (in addition to driver); this would encourage higher passenger miles per gallon and a more efficient use of vehicles.

There will be more ideas relating to schools, communities and states outlined in a future column.

Halloween sky sight

For Halloween (this Friday), the crescent moon will appear below the brilliant planet Venus low in the 6:45 p.m. southwestern dusk. On Nov. 1, the moon will appear above and to the left of Venus. Venus appears as a bright steady point of light, not twinkling as the stars.

Today, the Frostburg State Planetarium has its last free public showings of “StarLife: Beginning, Adult and End,” presented in Tawes 302 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.. In November, our program will be “Stardeath and Elements” shown at the same times on most Sundays (but no Nov. 30 shows).

The Planetarium is in Tawes Hall, located close to the FSU Clock Tower, the Lane University Center and across the street from the Compton Science Center. You can park near the Performing Arts Center and walk to the right of this building; several hundred feet ahead is Tawes on the left (Compton Center is in the right).

All the campus buildings have their names displayed in the front of each building. To receive a free bookmark that includes a small campus map, call (301) 687-7799 and leave your name and mailing address.

Bob Doyle welcomes comments and questions from readers through email at rdoyle@frostburg.edu .