At Least We’re Winning the War on the Envirnoment

[Hawkeye15]

To be fair, SUVs have basically replaced minivans for larger families and I'm sure they are similar in terms of fuel efficiency. Not to mention, people feel safer in larger vehicles. I don't mind people driving SUVs. It does get a little bit ridiculous though when you see people drive Escalades, Expeditions, Suburbans and Yukons though. Like what do you have a small circus back there?

And Texas is always going to be a pickup truck state. I get it. There's a lot of work that is done from those vehicles.

A lot of that is on the auto industry. They do their market research. They know more people buy SUVs now than ever before. They could make them more environmentally friendly than they are. They just don't.

need versus want is as American as it gets. At some point, the auto industry will be kicking out affordable vehicles of all sizes that are fuel efficient (EV, whatever it may be). Americans can't help themselves, we need everything big and spacious (watch international House Hunters for example, the space Americans need for anything is hilarious).

A big part of fighting climate change will need to come from a cultural change. Do we really need 3500 sq foot homes and SUVs? Of course not. Are we so used to them it will be difficult to change? Yep.

Again, let's do what we can. Drive smarter cars when possible. Recycle. Cut energy needs anywhere you can. Start thinking about the choices we make, who we work for, who we buy products from, etc.

Example- I am in the transportation industry, and many trucking companies are going down fighting tooth and nail against sustainability. I will simply not work for any company that doesn't support doing things in a better environmental way.

I need to work on my individual contributions when it comes to recycling better, and which companies I buy products from for sure.

[Hawkeye15]

There’s no need for a truck with the snowfall we get in the south.

these guys are acting like a foot of unplowed snow covers much of the US...

There are literally 30-35 states where snow is rarely a factor. And in a state like MN, if you are the 60% of the population that lives in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro, the roads are plowed immediately following any snowfall. So even here, in the tundra, a truck isn't needed by most our population at any time..

Again, of course for work some need a truck. If you live in a mountain area where the roads suck, you likely want a truck. That is what, 5-8% of the entire US? And how much of the mountain area is actually populated?

none of it explains why it feels like 85% of TX residents drive a gas guzzling beast despite the fact that from one side of Houston to the other is like 80 miles of nothing but flat concrete to burn through fuel on...

[dbroncsinmo]

these guys are acting like a foot of unplowed snow covers much of the US...

There are literally 30-35 states where snow is rarely a factor. And in a state like MN, if you are the 60% of the population that lives in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro, the roads are plowed immediately following any snowfall. So even here, in the tundra, a truck isn't needed by most our population at any time..

Again, of course for work some need a truck. If you live in a mountain area where the roads suck, you likely want a truck. That is what, 5-8% of the entire US? And how much of the mountain area is actually populated?

none of it explains why it feels like 85% of TX residents drive a gas guzzling beast despite the fact that from one side of Houston to the other is like 80 miles of nothing but flat concrete to burn through fuel on...

Weren't you one of the two posters harping on researching and educating yourself on things and not going by instinct?

https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/...pickup-trucks/

[Crovash]

need versus want is as American as it gets. At some point, the auto industry will be kicking out affordable vehicles of all sizes that are fuel efficient (EV, whatever it may be). Americans can't help themselves, we need everything big and spacious (watch international House Hunters for example, the space Americans need for anything is hilarious).

A big part of fighting climate change will need to come from a cultural change. Do we really need 3500 sq foot homes and SUVs? Of course not. Are we so used to them it will be difficult to change? Yep.

Again, let's do what we can. Drive smarter cars when possible. Recycle. Cut energy needs anywhere you can. Start thinking about the choices we make, who we work for, who we buy products from, etc. .

Changing behavior is a good thing — and necessary — but I do not think it will have sufficient timely effect unless it is somehow imposed on a large scale. The easiest and most effective way to do that is to impose regulations, primarily on the corporations, but also on the public.

[Hawkeye15]

Weren't you one of the two posters harping on researching and educating yourself on things and not going by instinct?

https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/...pickup-trucks/

oh I stated "feel".

Never been to Wyoming. Makes sense. And frankly, large rural areas are literally the only place pickup trucks make absolute sense, as many are ranchers, or live on properties that require labor to keep up. Most states that have metro areas see their population density in those cities, so a state like Wyoming that doesn't have a large metro area really is an exception. Texas has large cities, but is also so huge it has a ton of rural population.

Texas sells the most pickups, which makes total sense. They are literally EVERYWHERE. But there are a zillion people in TX as well, so it doesn't surprise me they just sell a lot of vehicles. I have never seen so many people in pickups/SUVs (which your study doesn't include).

[Hawkeye15]

Changing behavior is a good thing — and necessary — but I do not think it will have sufficient timely effect unless it is somehow imposed on a large scale. The easiest and most effective way to do that is to impose regulations, primarily on the corporations, but also on the public.

oh it won't be us making the monumental change. I (and we I imagine) are hoping some legislation is put in place that steers the auto/energy sectors into being more sustainable, and we hope to transition from fossil fuels over the next 10-20 years. But our kids, and grandkids, will bear the massive shift that will NEED to take place.

We already see the population going backwards. People aren't having as many kids, due to various reasons. Young people wait longer to get married, have kids, etc. They are growing up with technology in their hands by toddler age. They are the loudest voices when it comes to environment, social issues, etc. They will be the ones that need to deal with climate change in a very, very drastic way. I am just hopeful we can give them tools in place that make it so they don't need to bankrupt earth to make the necessary changes..

[nyyfan555]

need versus want is as American as it gets. At some point, the auto industry will be kicking out affordable vehicles of all sizes that are fuel efficient (EV, whatever it may be). Americans can't help themselves, we need everything big and spacious (watch international House Hunters for example, the space Americans need for anything is hilarious).

A big part of fighting climate change will need to come from a cultural change. Do we really need 3500 sq foot homes and SUVs? Of course not. Are we so used to them it will be difficult to change? Yep.

Again, let's do what we can. Drive smarter cars when possible. Recycle. Cut energy needs anywhere you can. Start thinking about the choices we make, who we work for, who we buy products from, etc.

Example- I am in the transportation industry, and many trucking companies are going down fighting tooth and nail against sustainability. I will simply not work for any company that doesn't support doing things in a better environmental way.

I need to work on my individual contributions when it comes to recycling better, and which companies I buy products from for sure.

I don't fully agree with everything in this post.

I do agree that americans are obsessed with everything being big. This obsession can and should be changed with respect to cars. However, I think we need to be careful about what kind of culture we set around home size and more specifically, the cost of that home. Changing the culture so that people will want smaller spaces will drive up demand which will mean increased housing costs. And housing costs are already insane. We should not allow the elite to convince anyone that they need to have 5 roomates or accept a 400 sq ft living space. I'm sure there's a balance somewhere, but the housing costs need to be addressed and heavily changed before any culture is changed around what size we want our homes.

Another thing I disagree with is any emphasis on individual americans doing their part to fight climate change. I want to be specific: i think we can all play a role, but i don't think there should be any emphasis on individuals. I'm so sick of advertisements talking about what we can do as average citizens. Large industries and corporations are primarily responsible for climate change and all focus should go on them first. So, sure we should recycle and such. But all awareness, advertising, lobbying, etc. should go towards changing the practices of corporations.

[catman]

these guys are acting like a foot of unplowed snow covers much of the US...

There are literally 30-35 states where snow is rarely a factor. And in a state like MN, if you are the 60% of the population that lives in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro, the roads are plowed immediately following any snowfall. So even here, in the tundra, a truck isn't needed by most our population at any time..

Again, of course for work some need a truck. If you live in a mountain area where the roads suck, you likely want a truck. That is what, 5-8% of the entire US? And how much of the mountain area is actually populated?

none of it explains why it feels like 85% of TX residents drive a gas guzzling beast despite the fact that from one side of Houston to the other is like 80 miles of nothing but flat concrete to burn through fuel on...

How about those of us that live in rural areas where snow plows are delayed, sometimes by days? I have been snowed in at my house for several days because the plows haven't been deployed to our little town. I, unfortunately, have to be somewhere when I need to be there, due to the fact that I'm a nurse and a first responder. I have an SUV out of necessity.

[nyyfan555]

How about those of us that live in rural areas where snow plows are delayed, sometimes by days? I have been snowed in at my house for several days because the plows haven't been deployed to our little town. I, unfortunately, have to be somewhere when I need to be there, due to the fact that I'm a nurse and a first responder. I have an SUV out of necessity.

If only the local legislators put money towards infrastructure and emergency response instead of campaigns against non-existent things like CRT in elementary schools.

[catman]

Unfortunately, counties and the states only have a certain amount of resources to get us out. My little town is not a high priority, nor are the farm roads around here. They get plowed out when the county get around to it.

[nyyfan555]

Unfortunately, counties and the states only have a certain amount of resources to get us out. My little town is not a high priority, nor are the farm roads around here. They get plowed out when the county get around to it.

That's terrible. And then they want to complain if food supply is affected.

[Bird of Prey]

Just found out today that a large number of EVs are not going to be given rebates in the newest boondoggle $760B Global Warming bill. Only certain size vehicles and I suppose manufacturers. also. Also, it covers only UNIONIZED CAR MANUFACTURERS. I'm sure that that alone will result in court actions against that portion of the bill ever being enacted. No way is that legal.

The pork laden bill will provide an oil or natural pipeline for Manchin's home state, however.

[Bird of Prey]

these guys are acting like a foot of unplowed snow covers much of the US...

There are literally 30-35 states where snow is rarely a factor. And in a state like MN, if you are the 60% of the population that lives in the Minneapolis-St Paul metro, the roads are plowed immediately following any snowfall. So even here, in the tundra, a truck isn't needed by most our population at any time..

Again, of course for work some need a truck. If you live in a mountain area where the roads suck, you likely want a truck. That is what, 5-8% of the entire US? And how much of the mountain area is actually populated?

none of it explains why it feels like 85% of TX residents drive a gas guzzling beast despite the fact that from one side of Houston to the other is like 80 miles of nothing but flat concrete to burn through fuel on...

So, now you want to tell the American people what kind of vehicle they have to drive? Zieg Heil, Adoph.

[Bird of Prey]

oh I stated "feel".

Never been to Wyoming. Makes sense. And frankly, large rural areas are literally the only place pickup trucks make absolute sense, as many are ranchers, or live on properties that require labor to keep up. Most states that have metro areas see their population density in those cities, so a state like Wyoming that doesn't have a large metro area really is an exception. Texas has large cities, but is also so huge it has a ton of rural population.

Texas sells the most pickups, which makes total sense. They are literally EVERYWHERE. But there are a zillion people in TX as well, so it doesn't surprise me they just sell a lot of vehicles. I have never seen so many people in pickups/SUVs (which your study doesn't include).

In virtually every one of your posts, you are advocating a socialist type government, ordering freedom loving Americans to cow tow to what the "dear leaders" of the Democrat party demands that they do. You have done it with gun ownership, education, vaccines, religion, and now what kind of vehicle that idiots like Buttplug the breast feeding Transportation beuracrap demands you to do.

I think that you would fit fine in CHINA,HAWK.

[Crovash]

Interesting take on the bill.

“There have been a number of assessments published — not just by the bill’s authors — suggesting that this could be enough to get us to 40 percent below 2005 emissions by 2030. That’s not quite as far as the 50 percent Biden promised, but it’s also not 2030 yet, and this could be more than a good start on additional measures that might get us the rest of the way.”

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/sto...20220809%20(1)