Ah, but buy enough time, in the White House scenario, and we will have developed alternative fuels, "cold cracking" refineries and hydrogen cars.

NPR: Energy Bill Leaves Conservation on Back Burner

State authorities have made 240 such "cold hits" since 1989, sometimes cracking crimes from as far back as 20 years, Ferrara said.

CNN: graphic

The cosmetics used in embalming have higher levels of pigment and silicone, he explained, so that when the body is moved in and out of cold storage the cosmetics will expand and contract with the tissue beneath without cracking.

CNN: What's behind the display of embalmed world leaders?