Ending a Vicious Cycle
In an interview last month, President-elect Barack Obama described America’s addiction to oil as a ‘shock and trance‘ cycle, in which increasing oil consumption creates skyrocketing energy prices, leading to calls to for bold solutions and energy independence — that is, until prices temporarily drop and our political leaders conveniently avoid tough issues like energy security and climate change.
After oil prices hovered at record levels throughout the summer, it’s not altogether surprising that as the price of oil has plummeted alongside our economy, some are looking for new excuses to avoid our most pressing global issues. For influential players in this debate, it’s an easy time to argue that an economic recessions give us little leverage to create bold alternative energy plans or fight climate change with investment in new technologies.
As president Obama indicated, we have to break down the illogical notion that our efforts on energy security and climate change should come to a halt in order to rebuild our economy. Fortunately, the most obvious answer here is also the simplest: We can do both.
Policy insiders, political pundits, and top administration members have all argued that making the right investments in modern, green infrastructure — repaired highways and bridges, expanded mass transit capacity, new bicycle and pedestrians paths, improved freight and passenger rail –- would support millions of sustainable jobs and help us transition to a more sustainable, energy independent, 21st-century economy. If we can absorb that lesson, we might be able get something big done with an economic recovery package next year — and help kill our ’shock and trance’ mentality for good.
October 16, 2008Talking points of no return
In their third and final presidential debate, Barack Obama and John McCain batted their plans back and forth on environmental issues like oil dependence and climate change, but didn’t offer too many new ideas. (Grist — Kate Sheppard)
October 7, 2008Cut the Sprawl, Cut the Warming
The New York Times editorial board applauds California’s passage of an anti-sprawl bill and urges other states to follow its lead.
October 2, 2008Schwarzenegger signs greenhouse gas bill
With a new bill signed on Tuesday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s planning agencies gain new ammo in the fight against sprawl, carbon emissions, and climate change. (Associated Press — Steve Lawrence)
October 2, 2008A Big Sum of Small Differences
A new study from McKinsey and Company shows American consumers as having either direct or indirect control over 65 percent the country’s carbon emissions.
October 1, 2008Hailey supports transportation funding reform
The city council of Hailey, Idaho — which is already working to reduce the town’s greenhouse gas emissions — voted this week to support a campaign for federal transportation reform led by U.S. PIRG. (Idaho Mountain Express — Tony Evans)
September 26, 2008Carbon Is Building Up in Atmosphere Faster Than Predicted
With worldwide carbon emissions increasing by 2.9 percent from 2006 to 2007, worst-case scenario predictions from climate change scientists are looking increasingly prescient. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change now predicts that global tempatures could rise more than 11 degrees by the end of the century.
September 25, 2008A Bailout We Don’t Need
Examining the implications of the financial crisis and the opportunities for recovery, commentator James K. Galbraith argues that the United States can go after a vast unmet need in our economy by building a program of “energy conservation, reconstruction and renewable power.” (Washington Post)
September 19, 2008Lance Armstrong: Secret Weapon to Fight Global Warming?
A writer at the New York Times‘ Freakonomics blog wonders if Lance Armstrong’s comeback from retirement could push even more people to strap on a helmet and pedal their way to work.
September 10, 2008To win the presidential race, it takes energy
Citing the importance of energy issues this election season, USA Today walks through the positions of Barack Obama and John McCain on gas prices, drilling, climate change, and other major topics. (Paul Davidson and Barbara Hagenbaugh)
-
- Why Jackson, MS needs better transit and complete streets
December 17, 2008 - Introducing the Streetsblog Network
December 8, 2008 - Americans overwhelmingly support new transportation investments
November 20, 2008 - Governors call for new approach to transportation
October 15, 2008 - Reinventing American Transportation
October 10, 2008
- Why Jackson, MS needs better transit and complete streets
Join Us As A Partner Organization
Transportation: In your eyes
Send your transportation-related photos to photos@t4america.org