Originally Posted By friendofdd NYC is seriously considering this because of the model results. Are you as willing as New Yorkers may be? >>>* A total decrease in delay of more than 4.6 million hours per year -- which translates to time savings ofnearly 100 working hours per person * A reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 26,000 tons (52,000,000-pounds) per year * A decrease in fuel consumption by over 2.5 million gallons per year * A total savings for New York City of more than $122 million per year in fuel and labor productivity<<< Would you like to share in improving the climate where you live? This plan for NYC could work for you. Or maybe we are all talk and no action. <a href="http://www.automotive.com/features/90/auto-news/26427/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.automotive.com/feat ures/90/auto-news/26427/index.html</a>
Originally Posted By jonvn Motor scooters. If you want to drive one, great. I think they are rather dangerous.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<maybe we are all talk and no action.>> I vote for the later. We do not want to change or take personal responsibility; we want the government to fix it. It's like car safety... we'll buy cars with more airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, five-star crash ratings, etc., yet continue to speed, tailgate, not signal, weave in and out, and so on. It's the government and industry's responsibility to keep us safe, not ourselves.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Oh so true. However, I think that once gas prices get to $6 a gallon you won't be able to give away a truck or an large SUV.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I wouldn't mind getting a motor scooter. I do a lot of driving for work which I couldn't switch, but for errands and the like I mostly drive less then 3-4 miles from the home. Would be hard to get the weekly groceries on a scooter though. At the current cost of gas, we have one car (an Xterra) that is in the garage and we are hardly driving it now. =P
Originally Posted By barboy Motor scooters are not dangerous. 2/3 of Taiwan rides them and those people are safe and healthy compared to US people. I think those Bruins in Westwood do just fine too.
Originally Posted By DAR <<It's the government and industry's responsibility to keep us safe, not ourselves.>> No it's the industries job to add those features that keep us safe. We're the ones that have to be responsible when driving. And the government should not interfer in this at all. As for all these politicians, Hollywood actors, climatologists and whomever else is lecturing us on global warming I will gurantee that you and I do more to contribute to a better planet than these people.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA When it comes to Global Warming, and The Environment as a whole, the thing that frustrates me is that everyone has a rebuttal to the conserving or recycling or helping the environment. Example: 'I recycle cans and paper products.' Rebuttal: 'You do know that once the refuse leaves your neighborhood, that all that trash and recycling material just gets thrown into the same pile in a landfill.' Example: 'I'd like to get a hybrid car.' Rebuttal: 'Even if everyone in the United States switches to a hybrid car, it wouldn't make any difference at all to global warming. And by they way, have you seen the prices of those things? And the batteries they use, they pose more danger to the environment than any CO2 emissions. Example: 'I'm going to start using those flourescent light bulbs in my home.' Rebuttal: 'It might make you feel better, but overall, it does very little to help the environment.' So WTF? Even here in World Events, everyone has a rebuttal to anyone's claims that global change is even a reality. I'm going to keep on doing the things that I can, but the negativity about Global Warming can cause people to just say 'screw it.'
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I am going to try and reduce carbon dioxide levels by insisting my mother-in-law keep her trap shut.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka <<As for all these politicians, Hollywood actors, climatologists and whomever else is lecturing us on global warming I will gurantee that you and I do more to contribute to a better planet than these people. >> Right...and you would know this how, exactly?
Originally Posted By DAR <<Right...and you would know this how, exactly?>> Well let's see here. My house is 1000 square feet which is probably the size of some of their kitchens. In the winter my house is always around 65 degrees. So I don't use as much energy as some of these elaborate mansions some of these people live in. I've had the same car for 11 years, total mileage 53,000. I've carpooled several times. I certainly don't drive in a gas guzzling SUV. I certainly don't have access to a private jet, so I'm flying commercial. I recycle all my newspaper and plastic products. So yeah I think I am doing a little more than they are.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <So yeah I think I am doing a little more than they are.> That's a pretty broad brush. I have no doubt many celebs are only giving lip service, but there are definitely some that walk the walk - Ed Begley, Jr. comes to mind. But when his lifestyle is outlined (he lives in a self-sustaining solar-powered house, rides a bicycle to film shoots, etc.) he is then derided as a "crunchy granola tree hugger." Not saying this is you, DAR, but there really is no winning with some people.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <but there really is no winning with some people.> That's what I was driving at with my post in #8. If you care about the environment, it's cool. But if you want to install solar panels on your house, and use canola oil to power your converted car, you're a nut job.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <So yeah I think I am doing a little more than they are.> I don't understand what real relevancy this has to do with anything.
Originally Posted By DAR <<but there are definitely some that walk the walk - Ed Begley, Jr. comes to mind. But when his lifestyle is outlined (he lives in a self-sustaining solar-powered house, rides a bicycle to film shoots, etc.) he is then derided as a "crunchy granola tree hugger." >> I completely admire what Begley has been doing. He's the example everyone should follow, not someone who goes to lectures on a private jet or owns several homes. You know what I'd like to see this upcoming election? One of the candidates, traveling on commercial flights with his or her campaign. Cutting down on the number of vehicles they use in each city. If they have to attend two fundraisers in the city, haven them walk if it's close enough. Until then I refuse to be lectured be people who aren't walking the walk.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Until then I refuse to be lectured be people who aren't walking the walk." Well, that's the mature approach.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Motor scooters. If you want to drive one, great. I think they are rather dangerous.< While in Italy I noticed how many Vespa's and those 1 seat ( maybe 2 ?) little cars that look like they came off a ride at kiddie-land....but here, until the roads are cleared of Hummers / Escalades / Yukons / Expeditions and the like -- I'm thinking the motor vehicle mortality rate goes through the roof if people start riding them....
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I haven't been in Italy since '85, but at that time they had these V-shaped cars that really looked like a wedge of cheese with wheels, barely big enough for two. I don't know if it was an 80's fad or if they're still around.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 they have these cars that look like a high top gym shoe - ( a small gym shoe ) - they are everywhere as I was there a little over a month ago. cars that look like this ! <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5217861/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/52 17861/</a>
