Fergus wrote:Anything that helps or eleviates oil/gas issues and allows us more time to figure something else out is not a bad thing. So it creates more issues in disposal issues? Atleast we can buy some time to extend our way of life, if not our life itself.
I read all the time how this and that wont make a difference, but if it helps us get through the rough period to a breakthrough, doesn't it deserve consideration. Not everything thats 'not good' is actually 'bad'. Right?
except that not all of these conclusions are that clear.
if hybrids encourage the continued use of petroleum consuming vehicles in cases where say bicycles could be used, then they divert more of the remaining petroleum to personal transport, and help create a situation in which not only is our discretionary usage in peril, but our essential usage (industry, heating, etc.) is as well.
lack of personal transport may be severely limiting, but it is not life threatening. if we focus on making personal transport possible up until the last minute, we damage our ability to attend to more fundamental issues.
if personal transportation is made more efficient, we will rely on it longer and have less oil leftover when it finally does collapse.
if we instead use the time to make more essential areas less petroleum dependent, the personal transportation issue will work itself out with carpooling, busses, trains and bicycles, and the vital uses will be less distressed.
let the car die its rightful death.