Since the inception of Earth Day some three decades ago, the focus has been on planting trees, recycling, beach and park clean-up, and patrolling storm drains.
But with gas prices going through the roof again, the emphasis this year seems to be on reducing our obscene oil consumption, which would also help to clean up our air.
President Bush’s Earth Day message consisted of a push for widespread use of hydrogen-powered cars. How realistic is this? It’s in the realm of pigs flying. First of all, the technology is a long way from reality. Fuel cells are still prohibitively expensive and will require a whole new distribution system to replace gas stations. And what form of energy will we use to produce these fuel cells?
I’m afraid there’s no will in Washington to actually fund this, not even through the ever-popular corporate tax break. Heck, they haven’t even the gumption to tighten fuel-efficiency standards. California still leads the nation (kicking and screaming and threatening legal action), not only with its restricted emissions initiative, but also the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a collection of 31 organizations promoting fuel-cell vehicles.
Automakers, however, are finally beginning to listen to consumers. Instead of promoting gas-addictive SUVs, a sales strategy that has pushed them to the brink of bankruptcy, they’re coming to the realization that people need more economical wheels.
Consider this. Four-cylinder models, which generally get better mileage and emit less pollution, are up in popularity. Chevy Malibus with four cylinders are selling at 60 percent, to 40 percent for six-cylinder models; Ford Fusion sedans with smaller engines are selling considerably faster than their fuel-thirsty siblings. At the same time, new technology in six-cylinder engines is improving mileage.
And sales of the Honda Accord hybrid, available only in six-cylinder, are lagging. Though there’s still a long waiting list to buy a Toyota Prius, the sticker price is daunting, making the car more of an environmental statement than an economy.
Gas-electric hybrids save fuel in city traffic (or crawling on the 405), but are less economical for those of us who drive 45 miles on the interstate to get anywhere.
“B-segment” subcompacts, once thought to be salable only in Europe, where small is good and gas prices have always been high, are now on sale here. Particularly since the Honda Fit has almost the same amount of space inside as the Accord, and at an entry-level price.
And then there’s the move toward alternative fuels. Vegan isn’t just for Willie Nelson anymore. E85 (85 percent grain alcohol, 15 percent gasoline) may be the fuel of the future though it’s not widely available outside the Midwest Corn Belt and can only be used in specifically designed flex-fuel vehicles. But it is a simple, elegant solution to oil dependence, and millions of these vehicles are already on the road.
If a country the size of Brazil can switch its whole economy to sugarcane-based ethanol, why can’t Archer Daniels Midland make fuel out of its surplus corn and soybeans?
Speaking of vegetarian vehicles, LoveCraft Biofuels, a Sunset Boulevard used car lot, is doing a brisk business in converted Mercedes Benz diesels. Designed to run on 100 percent vegetable oil (about $2.50 a gallon at Costco), they can also use everything from diesel and biodiesel to transmission oil and kerosene. Enterprising motorists can make deals with restaurants to recycle their used cooking oil for free. This has the added ecological benefit of keeping the old oil from gunking up septic systems.
The conversion kit has a high-flow filter to keep the oil clean without restricting fuel flow to the motor and includes modifications to the fuel pump or injection system and a water sludge trap. The oil is thinned by dual heaters. Converting a diesel engine runs about $700.
Meanwhile, high gasoline prices have pushed public transit ridership in those cities that actually have efficient service. Salt Lake City’s is up 50 percent on its 19-mile light-rail system.
Soaring gas prices are blamed on the international price of crude, trading at a record $75 a barrel. But the change from the additive MTBE to ethanol is considered a factor. Ethanol may also be in short supply for a while and some stations are closing temporarily to make the switch to ethanol.
In Montana, Earth Day honored the dedication of the nation’s first fuel cell power technology for hospitals. The fuel cell plant, developed by FuelCell Energy of Danbury, Conn., will generate ultra clean electricity for the Billings Clinic. It burns natural gas to create electricity and uses heat created by the process to power a turbine, generating additional electricity. The self-contained plant eliminates emissions such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide and greatly reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Cheaper power for a healthier planet.
While we all wait for Washington to catch up with state initiatives, we can remember all the traditional things Earth Day inspires us to do. Reuse, Recycle, Replant. And remind our congressional representatives, particularly those up for reelection, that we really do care about these things.