The 1960's were challenging years, marked with intense emotion and indelible change. It was a decade of heart lifting gains and gut wrenching losses. The country seemed polarized at every turn, from the Viet Nam war to civil rights to women's liberation to nudity in movies.

Yet, throughout the upheaval and discord, Americans remained true to a goal set early in 1961. We knew that, before the calendar turned to 1970, an American would set foot on the moon. We had to do it. John Kennedy told us we had to.

Space provided a theme and goal for the '60s. It influenced foods, fashions, TV and popular culture in general. It also encouraged more and better education, especially in math and sciences. Many opportunities and discoveries were born of the obstacles.

Landing on the moon wasn't a miracle. We just made up our minds to go. We focused our aim, applied the best brainpower, corralled our resources and accomplished our mission. Once achieved, it became the standard by which every other complicated task was measured. "It we can put a man on the moon, then we can surely..."

Given that recent history, why aren't we meeting today's energy challenges with that same spirit? Where are the charismatic leaders daring us to be energy independent in a single decade and then backing it up with action and example?

Where is the campaign to Save and Discover energy sources? Where are the science fairs and the awards for innovation and achievement? Where are the headlines proclaiming yet another triumph in clean energy production? Where is our spunk and unwavering surety that America can meet any challenge?

Or, have we deluded ourselves that changing are energy consuming ways is optional?

The party's over, folks, and we've been handed the check. It's time to forego the SUVs and apply rampant consumerism to bigger and better bikes. The days of lush energy pickings are gone, and probably none too soon for the survival of Earth.

In fact, if everyone lived like the average American, we would need seven planets to provide the resources.

Fossil fuels have always been problematic, but in our insatiable hunger for more speed and power we've largely ignored fouled air and rain turned to acid. We've polluted to the point that our planet is wreaking its revenge at our abuses. We live in a toxic environment of our own making. Global havoc over fossil fuels is inexcusable.

Just what energy equivalent of Sputnik are we waiting for?

Brenda Berstler is the founder of the Walking Example Group (WE-GO) a non-profit organization encouraging walking and walkable communities. Visit their website at www.we-go.org.