Green
I was going to post this Saturday, but I didn’t have a chance. In any case, here is another of my photos from my family’s picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I’ve got other stuff to say today though, related to Earth Day, which was this past Saturday. First, does this strike anyone else as humorous and somewhat contradictory? Do they really think that doing a few token things (I couldn’t find the full list) such as introducing a Saturn hybrid fully counteracts the effects of all gas-guzzling Chevrolet SUVs that will be sold this year, much less every SUV introduced by the company? And when you’re caclulating your totals, don’t forget the company’s Hummer bohemoths.
That leads me to my second topic. On the radio this morning, the dj’s were asking listeners this question, “How has the increased gas prices changed your life?”. It’s a good question, one that even I have to answer with the following statement: “Not much.”. However, not everyone that spoke up responded like that. One man, a professor in NC close to Asheville who enjoys theater, has had to cut back on the number of shows he attends. He also said something else interesting. He was basically less than enamored by the current offerings of vehicles that are more environmentally frendly, and how he may have to make the choice to purchase a car that he doesn’t really like when the time comes to replace his current car. I can identify with that. Lately, as I’ve said before, I’ve begun researching automobiles to either replace my VW or to purchase so I can retire my New Beetle. The problem I’ve come up against is this: the cars I like, cars that I find that have interesting designs, are not available with more fuel efficient drivetrains. The Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and VW Passat all have cool designs, but none of them are available with an engine that averages 30 or more miles per gallon. Of course, at least one of these cars, the Charger, admittedly is marketed to a completely different group of people than I’m in—I’m not in the market for a muscle car.
My questions are these: do most Americans not really care about the fuel economy of their automobile? And if they do, what will it take for them to do anything about it? If they don’t, why don’t they care?
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