There’s lots to consider on Earth Day: lots of progress in
some areas, lots of problems in other areas, lots of potential solutions, lots
of roadblocks to solutions.
I’ll just mention one potential solution (to multiple
problems), part of my usual refrain: Electrify the transportation system!
Converting the surface transportation network to electric
power won’t fix every problem, but it’s hard to see how the big problems can be
fixed without it. It moves us
toward a lower carbon footprint (if we simultaneously promote cleaner electricity
generation), energy independence, cleaner air, and long-term sustainability.
There are many things we can do to advance electrification,
but here’s one initiative I like.
Paris has some big time, big city air pollution issues (see a recent
story here). One of the steps they
have taken toward cleaner urban transportation is “Autolib’ Paris,” which bills
itself as “the full electric car-sharing service for Paris” (their website
here). Sure looks to me like an
idea worth pursuing!
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