I Don't Care About The Air
The first of my United States inspired postings is on our environment and the vehicles with which we traverse it.
The difference quoted between driving an "average family car" and a "high performance SUV" is the same amount of energy as:
Some people take this seriously and are prepared to drive more economical vehicles rather than have us all choke in the remains of a planet. Examine I Don't Care About The Air for yourself, develop an opinion if you don't have one.
It isn't about hatefully attacking the SUV phenomena, but instead improving what is presently sold; Why not have a Better SUV.
This is one of my bugbears I'm afraid. I find it astounding that such a relatively small increase in the fuel efficiency of SUVs would make such a difference to the US's need for fuel imports. Surely it should therefore be an obvious step to make them more efficient? It pains me that as a species we are busy using up all our planet's fuel resources and not putting very much effort in to laying the foundations for our grandchildren's wellbeing.
I'll stop ranting now.
Happy New Year by the way Adrian!
Posted by Ally | 10:01 AM
I am trying to remain as impartial as I can on this topic.
Your point is completely accepted Ally.
(Don't keep us waiting, hybrid fuel!)
Posted by Adrian | 5:11 PM
In my humble, well humble-ish, opinion..
it takes three things for this to change..
1) Better technology, not only for the envrionment but also for 'petrol head' power & speed hunger!
2) Somehow taxable for governments to milk the public out of the same amount, and ideally for them, more(especially in regard to the UK government).
3) Cheap for conversions of current cars or maybe new cars fitted.
4) Encouraging the public that this technology is better and stop old thinking people from being stubborn, preferably by force. :) Somehow make it cheaper??
Not only do we have to face technological limitations, but also social and almost religious issues in the public circle.
Lets make flying machines that use cold fusion and not get taxed! :D.
Posted by gn0 | 8:03 AM
I do think that people are, generally speaking, afraid of change. I also think that many people have the mistaken idea that SUVs are safer than 'ordinary' cars, probably because they are higher off the ground.
I also accept that however much I like the idea, people aren't going to start going everywhere by Christiana bikes. Better education on the subject and a willingness to be pro-active about where energy is going to come from in the future are what is needed, IMHO.
But I do admire Adrian's neutral standpoint!
Posted by Ally | 10:17 AM
Yeh fairplay. I can be bit of an arse.
Also shouldn't spam up Adrians web site with big comments, should use my own; sorry Ad man!
Posted by gn0 | 4:54 AM
Your comments are, as always, most welcome.
I always attempt to find a "middle way" as an optional relief from the one sided barracking we are forced to ingest each day. Having just arrived back from a week of conference exhibiting in London (and the endless complimentary copies of The Express I foolishly read), I certainly know what one sided journalism feels like. :)
Posted by Adrian | 12:58 PM