Artificial Leaf May Help Solve Energy Problems

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123900.htm

So just recently, the first ever practical, artificial leaf was created. The purpose of this allows photosynthesis to occur creating energy from sunlight and water. The idea of an artificial leaf for energy, started with that of fuel cells. Since it isn't worth the energy wasted to split hydrogen atoms from oxygen [H2O], many people abandoned the fuel cell idea. But with the idea of an artificial leaf, they realized they could naturally split apart hydrogen and oxygen without wasting any energy. Meow. Many people also found this usage of hydrogen splitting impractical because it required very rare materials. However the new model is made of abundant resources so it is much cheaper and a bit more beneficial to the environment. They also hope to use this "leaf" in developing countries as a source of energy. Although this whole ordeal is a great leap, I feel that in order to help reduce oil usage, we don't just need a whole new technology, we could just make less stupid decisions.