Canada's environment minister stepped into an essential conversation on traffic, congestion, climate pollution, and highway funding. He got political theatre and sacrificial sound bites in return.
Excellent commentary Mitchell. I've been thinking about it since reading it yesterday. I long for grown-up conversations among political leaders but it's political suicide to talk about post-growth or even question the wisdom of continued economic growth. As you wrote, it's up to the rest of us to have these conversations. Thank you.
Great article, Mitchell! Most Canadians, especially those who have suffered tragic effects of climate change, know in our hearts that change has to come ... but for every 5 Canadians who start walking or cycling to work, taking public transit (let's not talk about Ottawa) or making a financial sacrifice to buy an electric car, another fossil guzzler buys an unnecessary F-150 or Ram to drive around city roads. We have never seen so many gas-guzzling testosterone-fueled city trucks as we have in recent years! So yes, when new roads are unnecessary, they shouldn't be built. But the same goes for gas guzzling trucks. Heaven help the poor schmo who dares to raise this one!
I think George Bush had it wrong: we're not addicted to oil. We're addicted to our cars (and pickups). It's my god-given right to drive what, where, when, and as fast as I want. And I will say "you can pry my cold dead fingers off my steering wheel" - which just may turn out to be prophecy.
The primary reason our tailpipe emissions are going up is that the number of fossil fuel-burning cars and trucks (a.k.a. burnermobiles) keeps going up. My next chart shows the relentless trend.
Excellent commentary Mitchell. I've been thinking about it since reading it yesterday. I long for grown-up conversations among political leaders but it's political suicide to talk about post-growth or even question the wisdom of continued economic growth. As you wrote, it's up to the rest of us to have these conversations. Thank you.
Great article, Mitchell! Most Canadians, especially those who have suffered tragic effects of climate change, know in our hearts that change has to come ... but for every 5 Canadians who start walking or cycling to work, taking public transit (let's not talk about Ottawa) or making a financial sacrifice to buy an electric car, another fossil guzzler buys an unnecessary F-150 or Ram to drive around city roads. We have never seen so many gas-guzzling testosterone-fueled city trucks as we have in recent years! So yes, when new roads are unnecessary, they shouldn't be built. But the same goes for gas guzzling trucks. Heaven help the poor schmo who dares to raise this one!
For sure! Recently I met a guy at a fast charger who needs a truck for work. He bought a Lightning and loves it!
I think George Bush had it wrong: we're not addicted to oil. We're addicted to our cars (and pickups). It's my god-given right to drive what, where, when, and as fast as I want. And I will say "you can pry my cold dead fingers off my steering wheel" - which just may turn out to be prophecy.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/02/09/analysis/gasoline-climate-emissions-heating-global-vehicles-SUVs
The primary reason our tailpipe emissions are going up is that the number of fossil fuel-burning cars and trucks (a.k.a. burnermobiles) keeps going up. My next chart shows the relentless trend.