Alternative Fuels
The Fossil Fuel Generation
How will history see us? As the generation that partied hard on natural resources to send the development of the human race into years of economic and sociological depression and wars when it all ran out? Or the generation that fostered the future succsess of generations to come by the use and development of renewable green energy?Something to think about as we burn up the road in our SUV's and our soldiers shed blood to defend our access to energy reserves in other countries.
It really is a no brainer, now, to know that change has to happen . Although this change is huge. Is it the governments responsibility, corporations, business or community? Probably all of the above. Although there is one group that, make that two, that can effect and force amazing and rapid change.
Who are they? The consumer and the voter. It really is simple. If we demand something and there is money to be made from it companies and corporations will supply it. And if there is votes in it, and acceptance of it, governments will spend money on it.
Signs of this are starting to emerge. At the end of March this year sales of Toyota's hybrid range of vehicles topped 600,000 and demand was so strong at one point there was actually a waiting list for the Toyota Prius to which Toyota has commisioned another plant to manaufacture the vehicle and are also anticipating US sales of the car to rise 54% in 2007. In 2005 Honda had sold 100,000 hybrid vehicles and laid plans for massive increases in those voulmes.
Consumer acceptance is a funny thing and something that manufacturers get very nervous about. I remember being at a local manufacturers car plant about ten years ago where they had a headlight 1/10 of the size of current vehicle headlights that also produced a much whiter light although it would'nt be seen until recently due to consumers expecting a headlight had to be big to light up the road. Manufacturers would never risk sales volumes to something that is not accepted. Possibly why the Hybrid options are only seen in the lower volume models. If we want it and are willing to embrace it, have no doubt they'll develop it and build it, it's the only reason they exist.
Although there is another clause to that which is generally were not that smart. Unfortunately we believe what were told, and buy what were told to buy, by powerful marketing and the hypnotist that lives in a box in the lounge room. But that's a bit of fowl slap accross the face of society and I think we are better than that, we need to be better than that and we can be better that that. Making a difference starts with the consumer who at the end of the day is the one who makes the worldwide economy spin around.
If we demand fossil fuel powered energy and aren't willing to accept new technology we'll get fossil fuel powered options. If we demand effeciency and accept renewable options we will be well on the way to a better future.
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{ Last Page } { Page 13 of 25 } { Next Page }Alternative transport
8:05 PM, 13/2/2007 .. Posted by Derek WilliamsonOne of the key issues averyone points to in driving sustainability into the future is people power.
The environment movement has only ever won when consumers and voters have been vocal about there support for the right alternatives.
Our research at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/freeradicals/ tells us that everyone says we should be informing everyone else about sustainability issues - but that nobody actually wants to know themselves.
a curious dichotomy and one that has given us the legacy we have now.
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