What about celebrating dependence on this fourth of July?
Using America's Fourth of July holiday as a political event is rarely lost on those in power. This year, the most obvious connection in the AutoblogGreen sphere of coverage is the recent FREEDOM Act, a proposal to add PHEV tax credits and other EV benefits to the energy bill that's moving through Congress. The specific proposal failed, but the idea of using July 4 to talk about things other than as a chance to eat hog dogs and watch fireworks is alive and well. The Big Three, for example think July 4th is a fine time to try and sell some more cars.
Another way to use the fourth of July is as a day to talk about independence. Since AutoblogGreen has a global audience, that's the way I'll approach this post. In part, this is because I respect a non-nationalistic viewpoint of the ideas this day is meant to celebrate. Also, I think that independence is a pretty personal issue, and when we're talking greener driving, it all starts with the individual.
So, follow me after the jump to think about how we can work on our own independence, sometimes by being more dependent.
First, let's think about what independence means. For a lot of people, it's used interchangeably with the word freedom, but there are distinctions. Freedom is about the power to do and say what one wants. Independence is similar, but contains the issue of connection to others. This can mean being free of another's control (and this is where its similar to freedom) or it can mean not having to depend on others for what you need.
Taken at the most basic level, no person or thing is truly independent. We live in ecosystems and the connections between us and the world around us is unending and complex. We need to eat and breathe, for example, and it takes microbes, plants, farmers, shipping trucks, etc. to provide us with food and oxygen. The takeaway lesson, for me, is that some independence is a good thing and too much will kill you. Therefore, I want to focus on ways to increase our independence and our dependence; in some cases, one action will accomplish both goals.
First, the most obvious thing we'd like to increase our independence from is oil. Whether for environmental or national security reasons, using less petroleum products is a good thing. If we think about carpooling, it's the perfect example of relying less on petroleum (we only need gas for one car instead of two or three) while relying more on friends or coworkers. A few related stories on carpooling include the odd case of Chevron encouraging carpooling through the Rideshare Initiative and the carpool (and mass transit) payback program in Atlanta.
While shopping the other day, I was in a grocery store at one end of the row of shops. I noticed, but didn't think much about, a woman in the shop with me. As I was leaving the parking lot, I noticed that she got into her SUV, drive the 100 yards to the other end of the row, repark and walk into a clothing store. This kind of driving is just absurd. Starting up an ICE to go 300 feet? I know she's able to walk, so there was no physical reason for her to do so, just laziness, it seems to me. This brings me to my second way to declare independence.
How about we become less dependent on our cars? I don't advocate getting rid of our rides altogether, but each one of us could cut out a drive now and then, couldn't we? Longtime readers of this site will remember that I've always been impressed with the way the government of Australia recommended people "Minimise driving" as a way to tread softer on the earth. I'm still in favor of the idea, and think that sitting down for ten minutes at the beginning of the week to think about what shopping trips need to be done, what social engagements are upcoming and how trips to work or school can be combined with them could save a lot of people a lot of gas (and time). They might be your most profitable ten minutes of the week. The UK's Environmental Transport Association is just one of many sites where thoughtful trip planning is encouraged. When we depend on our brains a little bit to plan our time and our driving, our dependence oil is reduced.
A more serious change in lifestyle is to buy a new car. I'm not going to tell you what's the best option for you, because there's no "best" car for everyone. But getting a new clean diesel, hybrid or NEV might be just the ticket to lowering fuel bills and spewing fewer emissions into the atmosphere when we do drive. Just a thought.
Reducing emissions, spending less time in and money on the car, and working with people I know to drive smarter. That's my kind of freedom.
That's my Fourth of July spiel. Writing about all these options makes me want to see what you've got to say. What's your declaration of independence (and dependence)? You can start sounding off by taking this poll, then the comments are all yours.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Arnie 10:30PM (7/04/2007)
Excellent Comrade Blanco! Excellent! The automobile is a symbol of individualism and therefore an instrument of oppression. The automakers are Enemies of the People, tempting some to drive when they should be walking in blissful equality along with everybody else. Where better to state this than in a car blog?
Also, the true meaning of the Fourth of July should be suppressed. It is a threat to the People after all. It represents everything that threatens progressive thought; AmeriKKKa, individualism, democracy, freedom, independence and other ideas designed for oppressing the proletariat. Obviously it should be about something else if it cannot be abolished!
The Politburo thanks you for your devotion! You will receive an extra ration of potatoes tonight!
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frank78 11:39PM (7/04/2007)
Funny comments Arnie. I believe in being efficient, out of choice. Mostly because it saves me money in the long run to do so. Let's not forget- people who have 2-4 year old SUVs should wait a few more years, until it makes sense to get a new car. Having less efficient car WITHOUT a car payment for a few years saves heck of a lot more money than getting a more efficient car WITH a car payment.
BTW, I have never owned an SUV.
The marketplace will be towards diesels, highly efficient hybrids and direct injection gasoline models. This change in the auto world is just beginning. As oil gets more expensive, the consumer demands will change towards more efficiency.
Nice potshot at the Big 3 for oh my!!! Selling cars on the 4th. Oh noes!!! Let's all get mad at gas stations for selling gasoline too. One would think that perhaps not just American car companies are selling cars either. I drive a Toyota, and I'd be willing that they were selling cars today too.
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Sebastian Blanco 1:55AM (7/05/2007)
Guys,
What is so left-wing about walking or riding a bike? Seems like a perfectly normal thing to do.
Don't worry, I'll share my potatoes with you. :)
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Arnie 8:34AM (7/05/2007)
Hahaha sharing the People's potatoes is the right thing to do!
Don't take this too seriously Mr. Blanco. We know you are a lefty and your views seep through from time to time. Doesn't bother me too much because after all we agree on many things. I may be one of those right wing politically incorrect baddies but that does not mean I kill babies in my SUV (I don't kill people and don't have an SUV). I may not subscribe to man-made global warming without question and I don't want socialist motivated draconian measures to cut CO2. But still, we have a problem and I think industry and governments must focus on solving them. I would be the first to buy a decent electric car running on something else than fossil generated electricity. I even recycle so I'm not all bad!
Too many "solutions" discussed on forums like this and even in Government circles are not realistic. We need something drastic NOW that does not destroy the economy. Chitchat about algae and wind power is fine but we all know that this will not solve anything in the next 30 years or so. Furthermore, all the options and options discussed ad nauseam will if anything postpone measures that actually work. The opposition to nuclear power is partly responsible for the situation we are in. There is simply no other source of power that can benefit the environment as much in the next 10-20 years than a massive revival of the nuclear industry. This sounds counter intuitive to Greens but the fact that something sounds illogical to illogical people means nothing. My opinion is that nuclear power should replace the burning of all coal and gas for electricity in the US and Europe in the next 3 decades. Then it would also make sense to drive electric cars. It doesn't really now.
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Sebastian Blanco 8:54AM (7/05/2007)
Arnie,
thanks.
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bioburner 5:13PM (7/05/2007)
I ride a bike to work-can I get some potatoes too?
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Arnie 7:48PM (7/05/2007)
bioburner:
Your local zampolit will bring you a bag tonight as a token of our appreciation for your devotion to socialist transportation. We know where you live of course!
The Politburo
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