GM crushes their fleet of electric vehicles (EV1) and destroys all information. They continue to rely on the sale of gas-guzzlers.
In today's news, I read that president-elect Barack Obama is supporting additional bailout funding to large automative companies. GM, Ford, and Chrystler are jumping on the bailout wagon asking for $25 billion just to weather the ecomonic crisis. This is in addition to an already alotted $25 billion for fuel efficient technology. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that Obama wanted to focus his efforts on Main Street rather than handing more money to the companies that mismanaged their business in the first place.
Up untill the economic downturn and high gas prices, GM's business strategy continued to rely on high-profit SUVs. This is the same company that literally destroyed all evidence of their electric car technology nearly 20 years ago. If we throw money directly at GM, we are paving the path for the same old stupid mistakes they continue to make. GM caters to big oil and Wall Street, not Main Street. Consumers shouldn't be force-fed outdated Suburbans and Silverados. Instead, they should be given the opportunity to support fuel-efficient vehicles.
Why not use that $25 billion for a consumer incentive program that offers a large rebate for those who purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle. Eventually the money would go back to the auto industry but they would have to earn it by restructuring their business strategies. This seems like a win-win situation to me. Oh, wait.... big oil wouldn't be so happy. Darn.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Automotive Bailout: A Poor Solution
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Increasing the Gas Tax: An American Taboo
After a summer of skyrocketing gas prices throughout the United States, we are now seeing amazingly cheap costs at the pump. For the average American this is great news, but soon the laws of supply and demand will bounce us back to $4 per gallon or more.
The recent drop in gas prices is partially a result of less consumption. Americans were finding more energy efficient alternatives; biking to work, using public transportation, or even weatherizing their homes. Not only were people saving at the pump, but they were more importantly decreasing our country's dependence on foreign oil. For a short period we were seeing what it means to act more environmentally friendly.
Now that prices have dropped nearly $1.50/ gallon I fear that Americans will regress back to our bad habits. It seems odd to me that gas prices can have such elasticity. Rather than let supply and demand decide the price of gas, why not determine the true environmental, social, and political cost of each gallon of gas? Why not include a gas tax to pay off the debt we owe for the wars we have fought over oil? Why not include a gas tax to pay for the true pollution cost of burning fossil fuels? Or how about a gas tax to treat the increasing number of asthmatic patients in polluted urban areas?
The current US gas tax averages around a measly 47 cents per gallon ( 28.6 state and 18.4 federal). In comparison, German citizens pay gas taxes of over $7.50 (USD) per gallon.
A much needed US gas tax increase would not only pay off debts but also create incentives or subsidies for environmentally conscious energy solutions. It would pressure auto companies to reintroduce the electric car to the American consumer. It would produce a shift in city planning approaches including more urban infill with strict city growth boundaries. It would fund the creation of extensive public transportation networks such as high-speed passenger trains connecting major US city centers (while creating thousands of new jobs). It would bring our troops home and secure our nation from international terrorism. It would transform our agriculture system towards sustainable and healthy food production. The list goes on and on.
A simple gas tax increase would have incredibly powerful and positive repercussions. So, why is it such a political challenge? Petroleum is the world's most traded commodity; it is the life force of humanity. Big oil companies with strong lobbying groups and addicted consumers have so much weight in the political process that increased gas taxes are not easily welcomed.
I think it is time we discipline ourselves if we hope to see a paradigm shift. We should pay higher costs for our poor consumer decisions and be rewarded for sustainable ones.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Who owns water?
- "We are a responsible water user. We have a vested interest in ensuring that water sources are viable for generations to come." Because if they didn't seek the most abundant sources of clean water, they could forget about their long term corporate growth.
- "Bottled water is an important consumer option to promote public health... Without access to bottled water, people will be drinking more beverages with calories and sugar, such as soda." No thanks, I brought my own canteen of tap water from home.
- "Bottled Water plays an important role in public safety" Good Point, why doesn't the government regulate how much water you can pump based on needs for natural disaster relief. As far as I am concerned, that is the only legitimate market you should be entitled to.
- "Bottled water is different than tap water." Shhhhh. It contains carcinogens from the plastic.
- "We do not privatize water intended or used for public supplies." You sell water! I give you money, you give me water. Right?
- "Nestle is working on water issues around the world." Here you go Darfur, have some bottled water. What do you do with the bottles? Uhhh....
Friday, October 24, 2008
Pollan's warning to President-Elect: Food as a National Security Issue
Slow Food Nation Victory Garden Rendering
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Feeding the City: Center for an Urban Agriculture Network
“It is useless to force the rhythms of life. The art of living is learning to give time to each and every thing.” - Carlo Petrini, Founder of Slow Food International
The modern industrial food system threatens global food security- squandering resources, contaminating soil, and destroying the world’s biodiversity. Our current eating habits are not only risking our own health, but the health of the environment that sustains all life on earth. Industry has created what is termed a global food shed. On any given day we can buy apples from Australia, pasta from Europe, bananas from Central America, and rice from Asia. This may sound desirable, but with a global food shed comes the overly complex and unnecessary world of preservatives, genetically modified organisms, food processing plants, distribution centers, highway networks, fossil fuels, fertilizers, and pesticides. With skyrocketing fuel prices and dwindling biodiversity, the industrial food system is failing to feed humanity.
Along with humanity’s exponential population growth there is a global shift from rural to urban dwelling. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations says over half the world’s people live in cities. “Supplying them with safe and affordable food will strain the food supply and distribution chain to the breaking point” (FAO). Massive urbanization puts great pressure on arable land, water, energy, and biological resources. Cities have their physical footprints as well as a whole other ecological footprint needed to supply food and resources. To make matters more concerning, urban lifestyles typically spend 30 percent more on food than rural lifestyles yet they consume fewer calories. “The difficulties of matching supply and demand and problems with transport, refrigeration and markets lead to losses and raised prices.” (FAO).
Most disturbing, however, is our disconnection with the food we eat. Somehow quantity and speed have replaced quality and enjoyment. We have lost our ability to truly taste- disregarding food knowledge and culture. We have lost respect for our health- foolishly inhaling Whopper’s and guzzling Big Gulps. In an age of consumption, we are convinced to eat worse food so that we can consume more of other stuff. Perhaps we should reconsider what is important to us. Perhaps we should begin to place more value on ourselves.
This architectural project proposes reconnecting people with their food by creating local networks of gardens in existing urban places. As vacant urban plots and suburban lawns transform into edible gardens, individuals and communities will begin to appreciate the benefits of local food. Cultivating your own food is physically and psychologically healing. It establishes a sense of freedom and pride. It cherishes self-sufficiency and ecological stewardship.
Through the integration of architectural, agricultural, and ecological ideas, this project will exemplify how we can indeed produce good food in our cities. It shows how healthy and delicious food can become a part of the urban lifestyle. Growing, cooking, and eating are at the heart of human existence. This project will attempt to clarify our understanding of food, while rejuvenating all the joys and pleasures that should naturally come with it. It’s about enriching our food experiences through knowledge, self-respect, and environmental consciousness. It’s about building a healthy culture. Its about truly tasting the good things in life.