Some 5,000 years ago people were certain that everything in the skies revolved around the earth. About 500 years ago, people thought the earth was flat. Today, people think we can't live without oil, our automobiles, the Web, television, I-pods and other things that didn't even exist 100 years or even a decade ago.

But instead of fretting over a limited oil supply, we could be inventing the things that will replace it. I'm old enough to remember the days before the car became an absolute necessity. Many people were as convinced that the horse could not be replaced as those who believe the automobile can't be replaced. I am convinced that it can be replaced and that it is essential for all mankind that we do it. It accounts for much of the pollution on the planet, not to mention some 50,000 U.S. deaths every year. Any other form of transportation with that kind of record would have been banned long ago.

I believe there are many solutions. To think that it will be just one thing defeats the whole idea. We must consider the diversity of people and needs. In Florida, the aging population is a huge factor. Buses might fit in the mix, electric cars on the order of golf carts might work and certainly trains are good for long-distance travel; all would be much different from today's versions. Even moving sidewalks and horizontal elevators should be considered when thinking globally.

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