Wednesday, August 26, 2009

From the Treasury

We all know there is an energy crises.
We are running out of fuels and exorbitant energy use also damages the climate.

But do we know actually how much energy we use.
Per person?
Most fervent and loyal blog readers will live in a house and is there awareness for example how many gallons of water monthly a person is using?

Living in an expedition vehicle offers the opportunity to know quite exactly what is the use of energy.
For example the Fuso Szulc is equipped with a large propane tank.
This energy source is used to run the Dometic refrigerator and to do the cooking of food.
Last week a trip was made to La Paz where propane bottles can be filled.
The Fuso Szulc tank needed 42.4 liters.
That was after 29 days of retreat.
Hence, the consumption of propane gas was 1,52 liter per day.
In Mexico the price of 1 liter of propane is 5,43 Pesos.
Hence, an amount of Pesos 8,25 = € 0,44 = $ 0,64 is spent daily for cooling and cooking.

Then there is drinking water.
Not coming from the large water tank of the Fuso Szulc but bought in 20 liters re-usable plastic bottles.
In 29 days 4 bottles are needed.
Using 2,76 liter per day.
One 20 liter bottle with drinking water costs Mexican 9 Pesos.
Hence, an amount of 1,24 Mexican Pesos = € 0,07 = $ 0.10 is spent daily on drinking water.

Other prices:

Red peppers per kilo
MXP 48,90
€ 2,63
$ 3.77

Avocados per kilo
MXP 47,50
€ 2,55
$ 3.65

Granny Smith apples (imported from the USA) per kilo
MXP 21,90
€ 1,18
$ 1.69

Mangos per kilo
MXP 11,80
€ 0,63
$ 0.90

Anjou pears (imported from the USA) per kilo
MXP 33,90
€ 1,82
$ 2.61

Carrots per kilo
MXP 10,80
€ 0,58
$ 0.83

Bananas per kilo
MXP 14,90
€ 0,80
$ 1.15

Cauliflower
MXP 21,50
€ 1,16
$ 1.66

Melon per kilo
MXP 12,50
€ 0,67
$ 1.09

Tomatoes per kilo
MXP 21,90
€ 1,18
$ 1.69

Papaya per kilo
MXP 16,90
€ 0,91
$ 1.30

Mushrooms per kilo
MXP 59,90
€ 3,22
$ 4.61


2 comments:

Dawn Pier said...

Dear Michel,
I beg to differ about your assumption that we all agree that there is an energy crisis. I am a believer in the balance between the powers of demand and costs to regulate energy creation. The human imagination is boundless! And therefore, i believe, our ability to find and create new sources of energy is boundless as well.

And by the way, 2.76 L of water per day for a man of your size who also exercises in a hot climate is NOT enough!! you are not drinking enough water! Take care of yourself my friend.

raj said...

yes, you need at least 5 to 8 litres of water a day.