Carbon Footprint
With the recent BP oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico a lot of environmentalist are grabbing the soap box to get off oil. In theory I agree 100%, reduce your need for a fossil fuel as much as you can. But I don't say this to save a Polar Bear, I say this because I'd rather we had fuels we can recreate than ones that are dependent on discovery.
My position is start simpler:
1) define what type of power we want vehicles in the future to utilize. (once we can decide on this, we can move forward with R&D. Right now we are stuck in the Beta vs VHS era where every company is competing for the next best thing, focus the industry)
2) start replacing other items instead of "gasoline". (come up with realistic replacements for lubricants, tar, plastics, rubber, soaps, etc.)
3) it would be interesting to see estimates on power grid use for example: what if all residential homes used 75% less power grid electricity? what if all commercial real estate over 50,000sqft was required to make 50% of its electricity? consider innovative ways to make energy efficiency economically efficient.
4) every city or town that takes itself off the 'grid' by 50% or more should get some type of substantial budget funding.
5) improve solar technology. grids should not need to be replaced every decade and come up with a economical and efficient storage practice. stop having residential costs in the stratosphere for home owners. It shouldn't cost $50,000 to put a solar unit on a home to generate 20% of its power.
6) build realistic electric vehicles. two-seaters and sub-compacts are not realistic. vehicles need to be able to carry the average family of 4, with their luggage, at least 500 miles comfortably. trucks that are powered by electricity would need to be able to tow at least 8,000lbs.
7) drastically increase the use of rail systems. the are insanely more efficient for moving material than trucks. while supply from rail to building would require a truck, we should stop utilizing truck to move merchandise 1,500 miles or more.
Those are just some quick ideas as I sit here. Efficiency and economic viability is key, emotions and 'morals' will not push a green cause. I am a libertarian and capitalist, however the items I mentioned above I would be more than willing to have my tax dollars go to because they are bettering the security and viability of my country. They aren't piggy-backs or benefits for the "welfare class" they are actually areas in which the United States could explode and create a new industrial revolution.
My position is start simpler:
1) define what type of power we want vehicles in the future to utilize. (once we can decide on this, we can move forward with R&D. Right now we are stuck in the Beta vs VHS era where every company is competing for the next best thing, focus the industry)
2) start replacing other items instead of "gasoline". (come up with realistic replacements for lubricants, tar, plastics, rubber, soaps, etc.)
3) it would be interesting to see estimates on power grid use for example: what if all residential homes used 75% less power grid electricity? what if all commercial real estate over 50,000sqft was required to make 50% of its electricity? consider innovative ways to make energy efficiency economically efficient.
4) every city or town that takes itself off the 'grid' by 50% or more should get some type of substantial budget funding.
5) improve solar technology. grids should not need to be replaced every decade and come up with a economical and efficient storage practice. stop having residential costs in the stratosphere for home owners. It shouldn't cost $50,000 to put a solar unit on a home to generate 20% of its power.
6) build realistic electric vehicles. two-seaters and sub-compacts are not realistic. vehicles need to be able to carry the average family of 4, with their luggage, at least 500 miles comfortably. trucks that are powered by electricity would need to be able to tow at least 8,000lbs.
7) drastically increase the use of rail systems. the are insanely more efficient for moving material than trucks. while supply from rail to building would require a truck, we should stop utilizing truck to move merchandise 1,500 miles or more.
Those are just some quick ideas as I sit here. Efficiency and economic viability is key, emotions and 'morals' will not push a green cause. I am a libertarian and capitalist, however the items I mentioned above I would be more than willing to have my tax dollars go to because they are bettering the security and viability of my country. They aren't piggy-backs or benefits for the "welfare class" they are actually areas in which the United States could explode and create a new industrial revolution.
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