If you go to Germany during Spargelzeit - "asparagus time" - you will experience the amazing intensity with which Germans can focus on a good thing.

In recent years, energy conservation has probably received more attention from the Germans than white asparagus. A report in the New York Times suggested last week that Americans may be about to benefit.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to commit billions of dollars to providing America with a greener future. A big part of that agenda will be an effort to reduce the amount of energy that is consumed heating and cooling our houses.