The E.U., a bureaucracy that perhaps even overshadows our own, set a date of July 6, 2007, to put the directive in place. Its goal is "establishing a framework for the setting of eco-design requirements for energy-using products [EuP]."

EuP will require manufacturers to calculate the energy used to produce, transport, sell, use, and dispose of almost every one of its products. It will require that the manufacturer go all the way back to the energy used when extracting the raw materials to make its product, including all subassemblies and components. And in time, it will set limits on a product-by-product basis of how much energy can be used in a product's entire lifecycle.

One analyst group, Tetra Tech, in a fact sheet, explains it this way: "The scope of the directive is very wide, being potentially applicable to any energy-using product ... it applies to all energy sources, although it is likely that only those using electricity or solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels will be subject to implementing measures."

If you think I'm joking, go to , select your language, put EuP in the search window, and read it for yourself.

There is no denying at this point in time that if we value the lives of our children and grandchildren we must take positive steps to improve our environment. But that doesn't mean it will come without pain.