A Renaissance in Environmentalism? Energy Efficiency Is Starting to Make a Real Difference
I’m a big fan of renewable energy in all its forms, but, as I’ve often commented, efficiency is really the low-hanging fruit in terms of reducing the environmental footprint associated with energy. In the U.S. alone, the efficiency technologies we’ve deployed reduced our energy consumption by 112 terawatt-hours last year. That’s sufficient to drive a Nissan Leaf 400 billion miles, 13% of our overall vehicle miles traveled.
I get the sense that more people every day are catching on to the importance of being better consumers of energy; in fact, it strikes me as credible that we will see something of a renaissance in terms of caring for our Earth. Yes, there are still people driving Chevy Tahoes, Cadillac Escalades, and Hummers, but I think you’re going to see fewer of them each year, as public awareness of and concern for the environment continues to rise. At the point it becomes “cool to be green,” the whole subject of eco-consciousness could really explode.
“In the U.S. alone, the efficiency technologies we’ve deployed reduced our energy consumption by 112 terawatt-hours last year.”
Surely that’s a worthwhile reduction in energy consumption, but what percentage reduction is it?
It is unfashionable to bash an optimist. I certainly hope your vision becomes the reality.
As far as the data goes, SUV and pickup truck sales are up. I see plenty of men in suit and tie driving to work in a 3/4 ton – a strange sight, but quite common. In 2008 there was much fist shaking about the $4+ price of gasoline. Now its just business as usual. USA oil production is picking up and will continue to do so. Nissan is having trouble selling Leafs, and the Volt excepted, the few plug-in hybrids that exist are poor examples of what is needed. The political landscape is terrible, in that the progressives are playing defense on so many subjects that sustainability and new energy economies are in last place. If we get an administration change, well you can wave goodbye to just about everything on the environmental and stewardship slate. Perhaps all of that will, as you say, shift course.
The most disheartening reality for me is that climate change necessitates execution on a global scale. Anything else is a no-op, practically speaking.
“As far as the data goes, SUV and pickup truck sales are up.”
Arlene, I hadn’t realized that, but I find it unfortunate more more than one reason.
Those vehicles are more dangerous to the public than cars are. If a pedestrian is hit by a modern car, probably he will be thrown over the top of the car. At least he is unlikely to be thrown forward and run over. But with SUVs and large pick-up trucks, a pedestrian is likely to be thrown forward and run over, resulting in far more serious injuries.
Also, SUVs and pick-up trucks cause more damage to other vehicles when they are involved in accidents. Some of them greatly restrict the view for other drivers which also adds to the danger.
Of course SUVs and pick-up trucks use more fuel, but the dangers they pose to the public add to the reasons to discourage their use except in cases where their advantages are sufficient to offset the risks they pose. Vehicles should be rated not only on how they protect occupants in case of an accident, but also on the damage they are likely to inflict on others. Those ratings could be used as the basis for a tax.
My objections do not necessarily extend to the small pick-up trucks which are comparable in size to small and medium size cars.