Someone on NPR today echoed a sentiment I had expressed to my husband only days ago about the proposed bailout of the auto industry. Essentially, I feel like the issues that led to the current decline in demand for cars made by the companys in question must be addressed before any money is doled out.
Why not insist upon salary caps for top execs, mileage and energy efficiency standards for new models produced, and a timeline for expected growth/increase in sales?
As someone who is completely fed up with seeing flashy commercials touting cars that still only get 33 mph, I really think the opportunity now exists for the industry to remake itself and push into a new phase of creation and development aligned with green expectations and fuel-efficiency necessities based on our stated goal of weaning ourselves off foreign oil and finding new ways to support our energy consumption.
It's difficult, because so many jobs are tied to these decisions... and I would hate to see people laid off due to the poor decisions and bad management of those in top positions. But I do believe some kind of change has to be tied to any kind of financial parachute. Otherwise, we're just forestalling the inevitable collapse that will come from an industry that is out of touch and ineffective in the global market.
Sorry for the soapbox. These bailouts are making me increasingly nervous, and I still keep getting these nagging feelings we are in for even greater challenges and failings in the months to come. Let's hope I'm really, really wrong!
Showing posts with label foreign oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foreign oil. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Capital "T" Truth and Applied Perception
I cannot pretend to understand what is happening in Georgia right now. I feel like we're hearing very different versions from both sides, and it seems that the U.S. has a stake in the chosen perception applied to events.
Depending on who you read or listen to, blame seems to be laid in different places... but what seems strikingly clear is that this is connected to (or at least strongly influenced by) oil. Big surprise. At which point, I wonder again why we are not investing more time and energy into alternative energy resources and streams so that we can eventually become less dependent on oil and coal - be it foreign or domestic - because they are inevitably finite.
The bottom line is, people are dying in horrible ways... people who did not directly choose to be a part of the conflict. I hope peace is restored soon or at least that the violence lessens. It seems like there's already so much conflict and dying in the world.
Perhaps that's a naive statement, but some days that feeling consumes my heart.
Depending on who you read or listen to, blame seems to be laid in different places... but what seems strikingly clear is that this is connected to (or at least strongly influenced by) oil. Big surprise. At which point, I wonder again why we are not investing more time and energy into alternative energy resources and streams so that we can eventually become less dependent on oil and coal - be it foreign or domestic - because they are inevitably finite.
The bottom line is, people are dying in horrible ways... people who did not directly choose to be a part of the conflict. I hope peace is restored soon or at least that the violence lessens. It seems like there's already so much conflict and dying in the world.
Perhaps that's a naive statement, but some days that feeling consumes my heart.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Energy
I've written before about my emerging and increasing belief that to honor one another, ourselves, our descendants, and the planet, we must find ways to live more responsibly and create a life path that is less harmful to the people, places, and things around us.
One such area for improvement in our lives (Andy's, Ari's, and mine) is energy consumption. Some improvements are easy, no matter how busy or financially strapped we may be (changing lightbulbs, using less water, recycling, biking or walking more, turning off lights and other electrical energy suckers, etc.); however, some things will have to wait (solar panels, turbines, etc.).
And just when I was feeling down about the focus of the current administration on foreign oil and the ridiculously high prices at the pump, I heard a story this morning about an old oilman who has decided he wants to make wind power his legacy.
T. Boone Pickens has invested in oil for many, many years and has decided it's a dead end street (I'm paraphrasing). He feels remaining dependent on foreign sources of oil for energy consumption is ultimately not helping our country, and he has proposed spending billions of dollars investing in wind energy in Texas. Yup, Texas.
Apparently, North Dakota has enough land and enough wind to generate enough electricity to power homes in all of the United States (this seems like an inflated statements, perhaps, but this was something he said during the interview)... and his plan for Texas would generate enough electricity for over 1 million homes, which is a nice big dent if you ask me.
He also suggests using natural gas resources to power most of our transportation needs (though I would still love to see development of solar cars, electric cars, and hybrids everyone can afford). But wind is the way, according to Pickens. Which is pretty darn cool because it seems so very silly it's taken us this long to utilize natural weather patterns to serve our consumption needs.
So... a bit of inspiration for you sustainability and green junkies out there. If just a few more powerful moguls get on board for this kind of thing, we could actually be able to enjoy some innovative new resources that make life more affordable and more mindful (dare I say ethical?) as we go about our daily business.
And... in a related story, Philippe Starck, a French designer, has created a windmill the neighbors won't scoff at (though truly, why in the world would it matter to you what your windmill looked like?). I figure, if it gets more people buying them, especially owners of larger, more expensive homes who tend to use more energy, then I'm all for it!
At only $630 a pop, we might even consider buying one (though we'd probably only be on the 20% end if we stuck it in our current backyard). We shall see... that's definitely one of those "later" type changes.
One such area for improvement in our lives (Andy's, Ari's, and mine) is energy consumption. Some improvements are easy, no matter how busy or financially strapped we may be (changing lightbulbs, using less water, recycling, biking or walking more, turning off lights and other electrical energy suckers, etc.); however, some things will have to wait (solar panels, turbines, etc.).
And just when I was feeling down about the focus of the current administration on foreign oil and the ridiculously high prices at the pump, I heard a story this morning about an old oilman who has decided he wants to make wind power his legacy.
T. Boone Pickens has invested in oil for many, many years and has decided it's a dead end street (I'm paraphrasing). He feels remaining dependent on foreign sources of oil for energy consumption is ultimately not helping our country, and he has proposed spending billions of dollars investing in wind energy in Texas. Yup, Texas.
Apparently, North Dakota has enough land and enough wind to generate enough electricity to power homes in all of the United States (this seems like an inflated statements, perhaps, but this was something he said during the interview)... and his plan for Texas would generate enough electricity for over 1 million homes, which is a nice big dent if you ask me.
He also suggests using natural gas resources to power most of our transportation needs (though I would still love to see development of solar cars, electric cars, and hybrids everyone can afford). But wind is the way, according to Pickens. Which is pretty darn cool because it seems so very silly it's taken us this long to utilize natural weather patterns to serve our consumption needs.
So... a bit of inspiration for you sustainability and green junkies out there. If just a few more powerful moguls get on board for this kind of thing, we could actually be able to enjoy some innovative new resources that make life more affordable and more mindful (dare I say ethical?) as we go about our daily business.
And... in a related story, Philippe Starck, a French designer, has created a windmill the neighbors won't scoff at (though truly, why in the world would it matter to you what your windmill looked like?). I figure, if it gets more people buying them, especially owners of larger, more expensive homes who tend to use more energy, then I'm all for it!
At only $630 a pop, we might even consider buying one (though we'd probably only be on the 20% end if we stuck it in our current backyard). We shall see... that's definitely one of those "later" type changes.
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