Earlier this month, the Kyoto Protocol on climate change entered into force, despite the embarrassing failure of a few prominent nations to sign the treaty. This milestone caused me to pause for a few moments to consider my own carbon "footprint" on the planet.
I realize this may not be the most receptive forum for this issue, but I wonder whether anyone else has ever considered the impact of our cars on the atmosphere and climate that we all share?
When I see people trying to figure out how to remove pollution control devices like cats, together with the seemingly endless quest for more and more horsepower, I have to wonder whether the thought of what we're collectively doing to the planet ever crosses our minds?
Let me be the first to admit that I'm as guilty as anyone of overconsumption! Just take a look at my current fleet of motor vehicles, and you'll see that I'm clearly not holding myself out as an example of climate-friendly motoring. Heck, I own an airplane that still burns leaded fuel!
But I do have an increasing number of friends who own the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, diesel VW Jetta, and other ultra-low emissions vehicles. I like to joke that I'm burning the gas they're saving. But it does make me wonder sometimes whether I'm being a responsible citizen of the planet.
I'd be particuarly interested to hear what our European members think about this issue. Europe is generally greener than North America, and in general Europeans consume less and conserve more. How do you guys justify your cars to your friends who don't share your love for performance automobiles? Or do you simply not bother to try?
Again, I'm not trying to be sanctimonious here, or even intentionally provocative. But it seems increasingly clear that human-induced climate change is real, and that carbon dioxide emissions will have to be reduced to avoid future catastrophic effects on commerce and natural systems. I suspect I'm not the only one who sometimes questions how long we'll be able to justify our passions for performance cars and airplanes in a world that is trying to find ways to cope with a changing climate.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Mike