6th Post

In a recent article by the christian science monitor, found here, oil usage is discussed.  We all know that oil prices are pretty much one of the most talked about problems facing the United States today.  There have been many hypotheses as to how to alleviate this problem: make electric cars, quit buying oil from the middle east, or make cars that get better miles per gallon.  In the article, making cars much more fuel efficient is the focus of discussion.  If we could pass legislation that would require vehicles to have a minimum of 74 miles per gallon, we could see a reduction in the oil usage of light duty vehicles by 80%.  These vehicles "[consume] about half the oil that the US uses...".  Wondering what the cars might look like?  Well you most likely won't be driving that H2 hummer around anymore.  It might be internal combustion, electric, biofuel, hydrogen, or even natural gas powered.  It will be lightweight and most likely cost a few more thousand dollars more than what you would pay today.  Unfortunately, though these automobiles account for half of the oil used in the US, they represent only 17 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions.  Lowering these gas emissions by 80% looks to be a bit more challenging.  "An 80 percent reduction in LDV GHG emissions by 2050 may be technically achievable, but will be very difficult," according to a study by the National Research Council.  Given our recent boon in natural gas production, we might want to fuel our cars with it.  The NRC says that if we use gas as a fuel, though, we will definitely not be able to meet the 80 percent green house gas emissions standard.  Of course, these standards are set assuming that we will have breakthroughs in technology that lead to these options being viable.  With current technology, we would not be able to quite cut it.  The study finds that hydrogen fuel cells may be the most promising prospect. 
The article goes on to outline how we should reach these goals.  Not surprisingly, spending money on research and development is paramount.  There are other tactics that may work such as to: "offer rebates for high-mileage vehicles; impose taxes on low-mileage models; increase gasoline taxes or otherwise provide a floor price for gasoline so alternative fuels can compete."  Whatever we do, I think we can all agree that SOMETHING needs to be done.  Research and development of safer, cleaner running vehicles is a great place to start.  When we achieve those, then we can begin to take the next steps: always moving forward.