I was home the other day and of course the roar of a leaf blower and a car going by seemed to pierce what I expected as a quiet afternoon. It make me think, was it quieter back then?
Certainly the population of people, cars and equipment has increase very dramatically in Texas over the years. The 1980 census said 14.2 million people in Texas. Now the most recent 2017 estimate is 28.3 million. Double. McAllen had about 40,000 people then, now it is is 140,000. This town has more than tripled in size and number.
And the number of cars and machinery has increased at probably a higher rate as well. The technology hasn't improved any. We still have the same gas powered, internal combustion, "relic of the 19th century" that has been around in everyone's memory.
What would it take for technological change? There seems to be such political resistance for any advances. It seems like there's a perception that "we're number 1" with what we have, so don't do anything to upset those circumstances.
Will climate change have any effect? It probably depends on how fast that change occurs. If it is in geological time, then perhaps only a new world order would do it. And I can't say that anyone wants that pain. Eventually a balance will have to emerge.
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