Hybrid shoppers don't care about global warming?

The global warming fighter?

A few years ago, Hybridcarblog ran a poll on "Why buy a hybrid vehicle?" There were four possible choices: 1.) Cool technology, 2.) Foreign oil dependency 3.) Global warming and 4.) Carpool lane access.

After running the poll on Hybridcarblog for a while, I moved it to a few Soultek pages and kind of forget about it, until the other day.

So far, there have been more than 28,000 responses to the poll and the results are a little surprising.

Finish: Hybrid shoppers don't care about global warming

Would you give up toilet paper to fight global warming?

Wash it, don't wipe it?

Wiping your ass with toilet paper, according to a new environmental campaign, is worse than driving a Hummer when it comes to global warming. Thus, bidets and recycled ass-wipes are considered much greener replacements to toilet paper.

Would you give up toilet paper to help fight global warming?

Is global warming cause for civil disobedience?

Is global warming about civil rights?

NASA's chief climate scientist recently called on citizens to engage in civil disobedience to create awareness at what might be the largest public protest of global warming ever in the US according to reports.

Is this the right way for global warming activists to engage in their campaign, or do such tactics create more enemies rather than supporters?

Is carbon capture a green technology?

Or just a front for big oil and coal?

The other day I read an interesting article about a new program that is developing in Europe. Coal-powered utilities, under the plan, would capture their CO2 emissions and pump them deep under ground - virtually eliminating all CO2 emissions.

Some, however, wonder if that carbon will stay underground.

One potential fix is storing that carbon in peridotite, one of the main rocks in the upper mantle of the Earth's crust. Still, even under perfect conditions, peridotite couldn't eat all of the world's CO2 emissions.

Is carbon capture a legitimate, green idea that should be explored, or is it just an excuse to prevent real change for as long as possible.

IEA - "Energy Revolution" desperately needed

World's energy paradigm "unsustainable"

"It is not an exaggeration to claim that the future of human prosperity depends on how successfully we tackle the two central energy challenges facing us today: securing the supply of reliable and affordable energy; and effecting a rapid transformation to a low-carbon, efficient, and environmentally benign system of energy supply. What is needed is nothing short of an energy revolution."

Source: IEA

Can plasma turn garbage into a positive?

Superheated gas incineration

While CO2 emissions from autos seem to get all the glory in the war on global warming, methane is even bigger problem. To solve this issue, many are looking to plasma as a new way to incinerate garbage, which converts organic garbage into pressured gas that can power a turbine. Additionally, the process also creates steam, which can also be used to further power turbines.

Compared to conventional incineration, SCIAM states that plasma results in far less emissions. More important, it reduces methane emissions from landfills.

Of course, methane can be captured at landfills, and some claim that that is better than any emission-spewing incineration.

Is plasma a legitimate alternative energy, or just the lesser evil? Does it matter?

Can Obama "bankrupt" the coal industry?

Leadership or naivete?

If elected, Barack Obama plans to put in place a cap and trade system that will "bankrupt" the coal industry according to The Record.

Considering the massive amount of coal that the US uses to generate electricity, such a system, it seems, could have a significant effect on utility rates for many consumers, as the replacements to this coal would be very expensive, especially in the short term.

Of course, if the US could get off coal and foreign oil, the technologies developed along the way would probably cover the short term costs in the long haul. Still, can anyone sell such a plan to the American people, especially in a recession?

I doubt it, but I'd love to see someone try. Hopefully, he'll throw in a gas tax as well.

EU gives automakers break on CO2 emissions

Not only US automakers are suffering

The EU is "ready to grant automakers a three-year delay until 2015 to reduce the CO2 emissions of their new vehicles" because of the "global economic crisis" according to AFP.

With US automakers facing mergers and possible bankruptcies, one wonders when the US will be making the same kind of announcement.

Even in UK environment isn't enough for car consumers

Global warming not enough for most consumers

Consumers in the UK, much like in America, won't be environmentally friendly products unless they offer a cost advantage.

Finish: UK - Cost, not environment, drives auto consumers

Water just as important as energy

Holy scary water

I've known for some time that water was quickly becoming the new oil, the new gold, the new most important commodity. Still, I didn't realize just how crazy the situation was until I read SCIAM's Energy versus water: Solving both crises together.

For instance, San Diego needs water resources, but the amount of energy to power a desalinization plant isn't available and it would be terribly expensive. Or, how about the fact that Hoover Dam might soon not be deep enough to power massive amounts of Las Vegas. Or, how close drought was to shutting down numerous nuclear power plants in the SouthEast this summer.

Yet, have you heard either John McCain or Barack Obama talk much about water?

We might talk about the dangers of foreign oil dependency, but how often do we mention the water crisis? It isn't even on the radar of the average American. Or, maybe we talk about global warming and rising sea levels. Instead, maybe we should be discussing how increased temperatures might leave much of the South without drinking water and without power.

Yet, here we sit. Our energy and water resources and infrastructures dwindling and collapsing as America heads into a nasty recession, and all we're hoping for is cheaper gas.

To fight global warming: Regulate or Innovate?

Can regulation lead to innovation

I haven't yet had time to read Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded book, although it is planned. However, I read an interesting review of the book by Bjorn Lomborg, author of "Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming, in the Wall Street Journal.

For those that haven't heard anything about Lomborg, he's a rather interesting fellow, whom doesn't either deny global warming nor man's effect on global warming. He does, however, question plans for dealing with global warming. Essentially, while humans should try to reduce their affect on global warming, we should also be seeking ways of adapting to global warming.

It's not an all or nothing future in Lomborg's opinion.

Mr. Lomborg agrees with Friedman an a very essential point, which Friedman states, "If you take only one thing away from this book, please take this: we are no going to regulate our way out of our problems, we can only innovate our way out."

To this end, Friedman envisions massive regulations through cap and trade, taxes, laws, subsidies, etc, which he believes will create "crazy, wild, off-the-charts demand" for green technologies - I sentiment I've often shared, but Lomborg says hold on.

"Think back to early computers of the 1950s: the only way to make them better was to massively invest in public R&D, which governments did. Demand only took off in the 1980s, when computing became so cheap that it provided more good than it cost. In Mr. Friedman's world, we should have all been forced to purchase expensive early computers in the 1950s, which of course would have been great for the producer but catastrophically expensive and leaving us with dramatically inefficient technology."

Interesting perspective. One that definitely makes me step back for a second.

Automakers far behind EU emission plans

If the EU can't do it, can America?

The European Union has been far more vocal than the US when it comes to action on global warming emissions. Yet, companies selling autos in the EU have not been matching those words with their actions.

According to reports, "European Federation for Transport and Environment showed that, on average, carmakers were last year 17 percent behind the target, a change of just two percentage points over the previous year and thus far off the necessary CO2 reduction rate."

Is capitalism the key to global warming?

All about innovation and profit?

Some people argue that conservation can cure the world of global warming-increasing emissions from factories, autos, etc.. For example, Fred Krupp, in Earth: The Sequel, argues that only profit-driven innovation can help the world fight global warming. Is capitalism the key to global warming?

Marriage is good for the environment?

Fight global warming by getting married?

"A married household actually uses resources more efficiently than a divorced household," said Jianguo Liu, an ecologist at Michigan State University whose analysis of the environmental impact of divorce appears in this week's online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Read Mother Nature Feels the pains of divorce

New CAFE bill ready to loophole through Congress

Corn is a political force

The House and Senate are close to approving a CAFE bill calling for 35 mpg by 2020 and, even though ethanol causes more harm than good, ethanol credits will be extended.

"We're very close to a deal," U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Lansing, said in an interview Wednesday. "The bumper sticker aspects of the bill may not be significantly altered, but we are providing enough flexibility and practicality to make this achievable."

In other words, enough loopholes will exist that this legislation will, ultimately, accomplish little in terms of either foreign oil dependency or global warming. By 2020, there will be many more cars on the road and many more drivers which will significantly increase energy consumption.

CAFE is not the answer.

Eating meat and gas-guzzling

What's worse: gas-guzzling or eating meat?

Recently Heather Mills showed up for a photo shoot to make the connection between global warming and eating meat in a gas-guzzling SUV. While Ms. Mills is right about the meat eating and global warming connection, there is also a big connection between gas-guzzling and global warming.

So does Mrs. Mills have a leg to stand on? Sadly, she does not - no pun intended.

Nonetheless, the point Mills is trying to make is a strong one. Al Gore, for example, talks about how dangerous global warming is, how the world is on the verge of collapse, but he could probably have a bigger effect on global warming by going vegetarian, yet this isn't part of Gore's inconvenient truth. Why?

Maybe the goal to being a good environmentalist is to do less lecturing and more living by example?

Despite fuel economy, diesels don't help global warming?

Black carbon: Diesel's dirty little secret?

Diesel vehicles are more fuel efficient that gasoline vehicles, but despite this fuel economy, they offer no benefits in terms of global warming.

"Because of their increased fuel efficiency relative to gasoline-engined vehicles, diesels are seen as an improvement overs gasoline vehicles with respect to global warming issues. However, once soot warming is factored in, the difference between the two platforms is greatly reduced, as diesel emits more soot than gasoline."

(Source: GreenCarCongress)

India's greenhouse plans in the toilet

The key to CO2 emissions?

"A cheap system to recycle human waste into biogas and fertiliser may allow 2.6 billion people in the world access to toilets and reduce global warming, an Indian environmental expert said Tuesday."

And that's no bullsh_t!

Fight global warming, eat kangaroos?

Better than cows?

"The controversial call to cut down on beef and serve more of the national symbol on our dinner plates follows a report on curbing greenhouse gas emissions damaging the planet. Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham urged Aussies to substitute some red meat for roo to help reduce land clearing and the release of methane gas," writes the Herald Sun.

"It is one of the lifestyle changes we can make," Mr Wakeham said.

Foreign oil dependency and global warming: Michigan doesn't get it

Politicians in Michigan need to wake up

"Michigan's congressional delegation is urging the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to stop touting foreign cars to its employees.

In a letter to Secretary Mike Leavitt, Michigan lawmakers blasted an e-mail his department sent to its 67,000 employees advising them to avoid sport utility vehicles and recommending a number of foreign cars," writes the DetroitNews.

"It is our hope that your agency will refrain from sending out similar communications that make product endorsements, particularly by non-U.S. companies," the delegation wrote. "It seems to us the time and effort that went into producing this document could have been better spent preventing disease, assuring food and drug safety (and) improving children's health."

Give me a break. This isn't about foreign cars, it's about green cars. Finish: Foreign oil dependency and global warming: Michigan doesn't get it

Congestion: Why hybrids are so important

"Things are bad and they're getting worse," said Alan Pisarski, a transportation expert and the author of "Commuting in America."

According to a new study, traffic in America is increasing, and that traffic is costing Americans - on average - about a work week per year.

Traffic also results in the worst fuel economy and the highest emissions, unless you drive a hybrid, such as a Toyota Prius. For this reason, I feel that the EPA and automakers should highlight city fuel economy, rather than highway fuel economy.

According to experts, the majority of Americans will soon live in urban areas, urban areas like Los Angeles where almost 2 weeks per year are wasted. Unfortunately, there are few solutions for this congestion, which means the problem is only going to get worse and probably significantly worse.

While it's great that a lot of cars achieve 30 mpg on the highway, it's their fuel economy in the city that is becoming ever more important. Hybrid cars, such as the Prius or the Ford Escape hybrid - even the Chevy Tahoe hybrid - provide huge improvements in fuel economy in these conditions.

Sadly, traffic is a problem that took only a few decades to grow out of control, and it will have devastating consequences on fuel economy, foreign oil dependency and global warming if it isn't taken seriously into the next few decades.

Vermont, Greenhouse Gases, and Hybrids

Will the EPA be forced to work with states on emissions?

"There is no question that the GHG (greenhouse gas) regulations present great challenges to automakers," Judge William Sessions III, sitting in the U.S. District Court in Burlington, wrote at the conclusion of his 240-page decision.

He added, "History suggests that the ingenuity of the industry, once put in gear, responds admirably to most technological challenges. In light of the public statements of industry representatives, (the) history of compliance with previous technological challenges, and the state of the record, the court remains unconvinced automakers cannot meet the challenges of Vermont and California's GHG regulations."

Many believe this ruling will now set a precedent that other states, such as California, are also seeking, enabling such states to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, something that almost guarantees the need for significant fleets of hybrid cars and other advanced technologies.

Sure, some critics, such as Karl on Cars, are going to complain that global warming is not being caused by humans and such changes are an expensive waste of time.

I say hold on.

Even if it is proven that global warming is not being caused by humans, the process of trying to end global warming emissions will have a huge impact on fuel economy and foreign oil dependency. Thus, even if you don't believe in global warming, isn't it time to address energy security?

Is it fair to attack Al Gore's meat-eating diet?

The anti-environmentalist, meat-eating pig?

Mr. Gore talks about the dangers of global warming and what should be done to fight the problem, yet Mr. Gore follows almost none of his advice. This is supposedly justified because his messenger position is more important than his personal actions.

Additionally, Mr. Gore claims the end of the world is upon us if we don't act and act swiftly. Yet many studies indicate that meat-eating is, ultimately, far more of a global warming problem than anything on which Al Gore focuses.

If Al is so concerned, shouldn't he, minimally, recommend reducing meat consumption if he is so concerned about global warming? How can Mr. Gore ignore, possibly, the greatest cause of global warming and be taken seriously?

Global Warming Hypocrisy: Will the media ever get it?

Worse than Hollywood?

According to the Business and Media Institute, Good Morning America has talked far too much about global warming, yet Good Morning America has done far too little to actually fight the problem. In fact, they are making the problem far worse.

"The inconvenient truth of the matter is that among the four of them, they have emitted 61.45 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere far exceeding the amount that Al Gore’s ClimateCrisis.Net allots."

Actually, each and every member of Good Morning America has contributed far more global warming emissions into the atmosphere in one year than the average American family will emit in a lifetime.

Good job. Throw stones in your glass houses - it's so effective! Then again, ratings and advertising dollars are all that really matter, right? I can't wait until these people run the world!

ShXt!!! They already do!!

Unique - Prius helps Toyota reduce carbon emissions

Holy greenhouse gas cutter

"Five of the six largest sellers of automobiles in the United States increased average vehicle emissions over a 15-year-period, largely because of the dramatic increase in SUV sales, a new study has found."

"Nissan Motor Co. had the biggest jump in per-vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, up 9.2 percent. In contrast, Toyota saw its average emissions drop by 3 percent, in part because of the gasoline-electric hybrid Prius."

Ohhhh that quirky Prius and those silly hybrids.

U.S. - A world leader in green technologies?

The U.S. is a green leader?

"The United States, which rejected the Kyoto agreement, has never adopted a federal system of controls for carbon-dioxide emissions, although California has binding targets to cut CO2 emissions and other states are expected to follow.

The United States, however, has emerged as the world leader in developing clean energy technologies.

It involves a wide range of sectors, including wind, solar, biofuels, biomass (organic material to produce power and heat), energy efficiency technology, hydrogen and fuel cells, and tidal power.

"General Electric has been a leader in the campaign to develop new clean technologies that allows one to save energy and make money at the same time," said Dr. Andrew Dlugolecki, head of Andlug Consulting, a strategic consultancy on climate change and the financial sector based in Perth, Scotland.

He said oil companies, carmakers and power generators are increasing their investments in renewables and biofuels." More from Investors, big businesses see green in being green

Well, we should be the green leader, we're the biggest polluter and energy guzzler. Still, at least there is some positive momentum.

Wheat, global warming and biofuels

If global warming is real, could biofuels cause more harm than good?

"We're used to watching the price of oil mock gravity, but there's an even more essential commodity that's also become scarcer and pricier in recent months: Traders are paying record prices for wheat on world markets, thanks in part to shortages caused by a mix of drought and flooding. Canada, the second-biggest wheat producer after the U.S., looks set to harvest its smallest crop in five years, due to an unusually dry July, while production in the European Union may be down nearly 40% from last year after flooding rains followed long droughts. Growing global demand for biofuels is also eating up grain production, and boosting prices."

Biofuels are a good idea, especially those biofuels derived from waste. But grain-based biofuels, such as ethanol, appear to be nothing short of a subsidized boondoggle.

Time for change? July kills Detroit

No hope until the Volt?

For decades the winds of change have blown across the automotive landscape of America, spreading the seeds of compact car interest, fuel economy, etc. Nurtured by the ever-growing dangers of foreign oil dependency, pollution, and global warming, the seeds of change have flourished.

Consequently, as "unexpectedly weak" July auto sales is forcing Detroit's automakers to expect "vehicle sales to end the year at a nine-year low," the Toyota Prius - the poster child of change - has become the top selling vehicle for the same month.

Finish: Time for change? July kills Detroit

Plug-ins the best tool against global warming?

Plug-in hybrids an important tool to fight CO2 emissions?

"If motorists used rechargeable "plug-in" hybrid-electric vehicles in large numbers, the U.S. could see a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century, says a study released Thursday."

The hype around plug-in hybrid vehicles just keeps building.

Source: MSNBC

13 states continue push EPA on emissions

California continues states' greenhouse activism

"Led by California, the 13 states have applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for authority to set their own greenhouse-gas standards in the absence of federal rules. On Sunday, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson told governors the agency will deliver a decision by year's end. Today, the governors meeting near Traverse City are expected to OK a new policy statement calling for the EPA to let states to make such rules."

--> Read more: Mich. at odds with govs on fuel rules

Could a $3000.00 car destroy America?

What if Tata sold a couple hundred million cars in India?

If you've been following the automotive news lately, then you've been hearing a lot about Nissan's quest to build a "people's car", a $3,000.00 automobile for India's growing, aspiring middle class. While emerging markets, especially Indian and China, appear to a large extent to be the future for automakers, can the world survive this future?

"India just can't cope with this kind of pace of expansion," said Anumita Roychowdhury, associate director at the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment.

"It's just not sustainable, whether from an environmental point of view or in terms of congestion." (more)

India? What about America?

What if by 2020, America is even more dependent upon foreign oil, as are an additional 50 million Indians and Chinese? How about 100 million more? How about coupling this with ever-increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf, Venezuela and Nigeria. What will the cost of foreign oil dependency be then?

Best small cars?

J.D. Power ranks small cars

Let's face it. Not everyone can afford a clean diesel vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. For many, the best way to have a more positive impact on global warming, foreign oil dependency, and the pocket book - when it comes to an automobile - is to buy a small car.

So, which small cars are best?

According to J.D. Power customer satisfaction surveys, its either the Honda Fit or the Toyota Yaris.

(Source:MSBNC)

Save the world, stop drinking bottled water?

San Francisco Mayor bans water bottles to fight global warming

"Citing environmental concerns, Mayor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order prohibiting city departments from buying bottled water." (more)

Will Boeing bite on the EcoJet

Fly in global warming peace?

Could this design cut the carbon emissions of today's jets in half? That's what easyJet PLC believes.

"This is not 'Star Trek' This is the future," Chief Executive Andy Harrison of easyJet said. "If it were to be made available today, we would order hundreds of them for fleet replacement."

Nonsense: Man-made CO2 global warming is nonsense?

Can you prove that man-made CO2 is causing global warming?

"If, like me, you believe that the man-made CO2 global warming theory is akin to creationism or astrology -- unscientific claptrap -- then you should also be disturbed by the latest nonsense coming from the California green lobby," wrote John McCormick of the Detroit News yesterday.

"Unscientific", John? Since when did you become a scientist?

While I believe in a man-made CO2 contribution to global warming, I don't have any problem with people that have questions about man-made CO2 caused global warming. In reality, there is more we don't know about global warming than we do know. So, almost anything is possible.

Thus, to claim man is the total cause of global warming, without any doubt, is nonsense. We might be. We might just be contributing. On the other hand, it is equally nonsensical to claim that, without any doubt, man is not causing global warming.

I've known some good scientists, John, and you are no scientist. Too many of the words coming out of your mouth sound like nonsense.

Would Hillary protect Detroit's gas-guzzling ways?

Winning is the only thing that matters?

According to the DetroitNews, Hillary Clinton is going to try very hard to distance herself from Barack Obama and his stance on Detroit and U.S. automakers. Mr.Obama wants to see significant increases in U.S. fuel economy and a move towards hybrid vehicles due to the dangers of foreign oil dependency and global warming.

Finish: Would Hillary protect Detroit's gas-guzzling ways?

Norway to ban new gasoline cars?

Are you loco?

There are rumors that the government of Norway would like to ban the sale of gasoline cars by 2015, essentially focusing automakers to offer a different solution.

Obviously, such a drastic approach is easier to achieve in a country like Norway, compared to a country like the U.S.. Still, it could make Norway a leader in electric vehicles, for example.

Shouldn't the U.S. try acting so drastic? Forget global warming. Forget foreign oil dependency. A new generation of automotive technology is emerging and it won't be driven by large gas-guzzling SUVs.

Shouldn't the U.S. try to lead this automotive revolution, simply for the economics driven by technological innovation?

Already a loophole in new CAFE bill?

Gotta love those folks in Congress!

While there has been a lot of talk in Congress regarding CAFE, fuel economy, global warming, foreign oil dependency, etc., little action has followed. Now, according to Roland Jones, the current legislation aimed at these issues might already be flawed with loopholes before it is even enacted.

While this CAFE plan is not yet law, nor even fully ratified by Congress, it demonstrates that any CAFE-increasing bill will, almost assuredly, prove mostly ineffective.

And, really, who can blame Congress? Most Americans simply care only about the cost of their gasoline, not the costs of gas-guzzling pollution, global warming and foreign oil dependency. Most American, ultimately, are quite content to cheaply guzzle gas forever it seems.

Are Michigan Democrats really Democrats?

Is Nancy Pelosi's biggest problem her own party?

Do Democrats really care about global warming and foreign oil dependency? While the answer to that question seems like a resounding yes, why is it that some Democrats are the BIGGEST laggards regarding real CAFE increases and real action on global warming? Isn't that supposed to be the domain of Big Oil-influenced Republicans?

At some point Democrats might have to ask, "Are Michigan Democrats really Democrats."

John Dingell (D) of Michigan is one of the biggest forces preventing a serious increase in CAFE, even though hybrid cars demonstrate that the CAFE requirements proposed for 2020 are essentially achievable today. Yet, Dingell has ripped....(Finish: CAFE: Can Democrats put Michigan in check?)

Bill Clinton helping cities go green

Clinton proving that going green isn't just about the environment, it's about money

"Climate change is a global problem that requires local action," said former U.S. President Bill Clinton. "The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for their bottom line. They're going to save money, make money, create jobs and have a tremendous collective impact on climate change all at once. I'm proud of them for showing leadership on the critical issue of climate change and I thank them for their commitment to this new initiative."

Investing in green technology really doesn't have to be some sort of hippy, tree-hugging endeavour. Ultimately, investing in green technology is an investment in efficiency, and inevitably, efficiency saves money.

Kinda makes me wish Bill would have used his foundation to buy Chrysler.

How do Democrats justify gas-gouging talk?

Hillary would like to tax oil company profits

A number of Democrats have loudly attacked Big Oil - probably because many Americans buy into the Republican - Big oil connection, and Americans love cheap gas. Thus, many Democrats have continually raised the issue of gas-gouging and gas-gouging legislation. Yet, the Democratic party is the largest supporter of global warming legislation and action.

Isn't that too ironic?

What if Democrats can make gasoline cheaper through windfall taxes, gouging legislation, etc.? Wouldn't Americans just increase their gasoline consumption, thereby increasing both foreign oil dependency and global warming emissions?

Ultimately and unfortunately, aren't high gas prices a good thing for those whom believe in global warming? Not only can increased gas prices reduce global warming-causing gasoline consumption, but higher prices can make alternative fuels more competitive, while also increasing the cost-effectiveness of clean technologies, such as hybrid cars?

Finish Democrats and Gas Gouging

Lift the hybrid cap Senator Obama

Time to give Toyota some credit!

Congress sucks. Numerous Democrats and Republicans have been speaking about foreign oil dependency and global warming for at least a couple of years now, yet they've done little, despite the fact that a majority agree action is necessary.

O.K. Forget the past.

Barack Obama has now claimed that if he becomes President, he's going to push and to help U.S. automakers to develop hybrid cars. In addition, he also wants to change the tax credit for hybrid vehicles so that there is no cap by manufacturer - something Obama has also proposed as a legislator.

So, what are we waiting for? Foreign oil dependency and global warming are important, but not important enough .......(more).

GM joins climate change battle?

"General Motors on Tuesday became the first automobile manufacturer to join the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of corporate executives that wants Congress to enact an economy-wide mandatory cap on carbon dioxide emissions."

Interesting. GM can both fight against climate change legislation and join a Climate Action Partnership? Perhaps the word partnership should be replaced with lobby?

How about if you increase your fleet fuel efficiency, stop using flex-fuel to violate CAFE, and stop fighting California's global warming legislation? How about a couple of hybrid cars, not just hybrid SUVs?

Walk the Walk, please.

(Source: AP)

Is foreign oil dependency the best way to fight global warming?

Could the fight against foreign oil dependency actually unite the people?

Watching a National Geographic show on global warming last night, I realized that I'm becoming anti-global warming activism. Ironically, however, I believe that - minimally - man is having a significant impact on the environment. I also believe that we should be developing technologies, such as hybrid cars, that help reduce carbon footprints.

So, what's my problem? Why am I so troubled by war against global warming? Finish Foreign Oil Dependency: The battle in the fight against global warming.

GM's CO2 Campaign?

GM just makes me wanna holler

Back in January I was invited to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as a guest of GM - whom sponsored my trip. I had a fantastic time, and I met a great number of wonderful GM employees. Moreover, GM finally gave me something in which to believe: the Chevy Volt.

Unfortunately, as time has gone on, I have tired a bit of the never-ending hype around the Volt. Since the Volt is still 3 years away, I'm far more concerned about GM's current line of full hybrid vehicles - or lack thereof. While I saw, for example, a Yukon hybrid at both the Los Angeles Auto Show and the Detroit Show, I still have yet to see a hybrid Yukon at a GM dealership.

Seriously, can GM drag their feet any longer on hybrid cars?

I guess America should be happy that Detroit is at least developing hybrids, unlike a few years ago when Bob Lutz ridiculed hybrids or when he said that GM could have developed a Prius-like vehicle before Toyota using just a fraction of ONE year's advertising budget. But that was the past, right?

Now GM is on a new advertising campaign - one to convince Americans not to worry about CO2 emissions from autos because - according to GM - buildings cause more CO2. (Read the Press Release)

Ford ready to fight global warming?

Let's get this sucka on the road then!

I think Ford CEO Alan Mulally has the potential to turn Ford around. First, Mulally is an efficiency aficionado. Second, he has proven himself at Boeing. Third, he wants to fight global warming, even telling reporters that he believes humans are responsible for the "vast majority" of global warming.

Whether he's correct or not regarding global warming, Mulally at least appears cognizant of the fact the fuel efficiency is going to determine the success of automakers selling vehicles in the U.S. - foreign oil dependency isn't going anywhere even if science proves the sun is causing global warming. Perhaps, some U.S. auto manufacturers might choose to focus on selling sub-$5000.00 cars in China and India, but it appears that Ford is prepared to try to sell fuel efficient vehicles in the U.S..

So, c'mon Mr. Mulally, let's see a few new hybrid vehicles, such as the Ford Reflex hybrid pictured above. Enough talking, time for a little walking. Show the world and the rest of Detroit that Ford ain't dead yet. Besides America could truly use some real leadership coming out of Michigan - apart from the Pistons and Red Wings.

U.S. automakers lost in fuel economy?

U.S. automakers simply out of touch regarding fuel economy?

There is an interesting article on MSNBC.com this morning titled, Detroit Jumps Into the Fuel Economy Debate. Now that Congress and the Supreme Court appear to be getting more tough on fuel economy and global warming, automakers are trying hard to frame the debate over these issues in their favor. Yet, should we listen to U.S. automakers?

I'm not sure. Part of Detroit's argument is that forcing U.S. automakers to increase fuel economy will prevent them from developing hybrid cars and fuel cell vehicles. That seems like an odd argument. Don't mandate we make hybrid vehicles because then we won't be able to afford to make hybrids. Huh????

Finish Fuel Economy: U.S. automakers blame thyself?

Hard to care about a hydrogen-powered Chevy Volt

How long, how loooonnnnggggg?

Larry Burns has posted an article regarding the Chevy Volt that is being displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show, for those interested. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed to find out that the new iteration of the Volt - a rumor that hyped its way through the blogosphere for the last couple of weeks - is a fuel cell vehicle.

Yes, I believe fuel cells have great potential, but if an electric-gasoline version of the Volt is 3 years away, a fuel cell Volt is even further off in the distance. Quite honestly, I care much more about what GM and all automakers are doing today, and I would have been much happier with a dumbed down version of the Volt - a vehicle that could be sold, say, next year.

Imagine GM taking on the Toyota Prius head-to-head now, instead of 3 years from now. That's what America has been waiting for - an American-made freedom fighter. An American worker-supporting, foreign oil dependency-fighting, global warming-stopping, American-made vehicle. Is that so much to ask for?

Perhaps such a vehicle wouldn't resonate particularly well with a majority of the GM faithful, but such a Volt would, however, resonate with millions of Americans that don't particularly care for GM's environmental and fuel economy efforts.

Eat more meat, make more bio-diesel?

Natural-air cleaning rainforests being burned for cattle grazing

I'm sort of happy to hear that ConocoPhillips and Tyson Foods are forming a partnership to make diesel fuel from animal byproducts. Ultimately, eating meat causes massive global warming pollution, so anything that alleviates some of this pollution is a good thing, right?

At the same time, however, animal fuel is just a bit scary. One can almost imagine, 'Eat more meat. It's not just for supper, it's clean gas for tomorrow's commute' ads. 'Forget those veggies, go for the NY Strip!'

Isn't foreign oil dependency the ultimate safety issue?

Some 35,000 automotive engineers will meet in Detroit this week for the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress where fuel economy will be an important focus due to the growing political concerns regarding global warming and foreign oil dependency. Thus, automakers will show off a host of hybrid cars, clean diesels and fuel cell vehicles.

Nonetheless, safety will also be an extremely important issue. Inevitably, consumers still value safety far more than fuel economy. Still, it's a bit surprising that there is such a disconnect between safety and fuel economy. With numerous national security experts claiming that foreign oil dependency is possibly the greatest National Security threat to the U.S., why is fuel economy not correlated with 'safety' by either consumers or U.S. automakers?

Ultimately, isn't foreign oil dependency the ultimate safety issue?