Are Hybrids the Answer?

I don't know, and it bugs me that no one is asking. Every where I go I hear people talk about how wonderful the Prius is, how Toyota is such a great environmental company (which, compared to most car companies, may be true), how great the prius would be if it could be plugged as well, etc. But is the Prius really the answer? No one talks about the batteries. What materials are needed to make them, what are the costs of obtaining those materials, and what is involved in making them? Are they recyclable? Have we just replaced using fossil fuels with filling our dumpsters even faster (we, in California, are already shipping some of our garbage to China because we have no place for it here).

Everything we do has a cost. Using water for energy requires building dams that hurt much of the natural habitat, windmills kill birds, solar panels require a lot of energy and materials to be created. Some costs are easier to handle than others. Global warming is probably not going to be caused by a few less birds, but a few bird lovers are going to hate me for that comment.


That's why we need to either use less, or have fewer people in the world. Seriously, we could all drive hummers everyday, if there were only a million people in the world. That whole 6.7 billion thing makes a difference. But no one's talking about that. instead there are people trying to keep others from learning about or having access to birth control! How freaking silly.

But we can use less, we can all use less. I try, although I am not very good. I take the bus, but it's hard. I can't stay after work for any reason.... the last bus from downtown to natomas leaves at 5:38. No drinks after work, or yoga classes, or dinner or, well, you get the idea. We need more and reliable public transportation. And why are beer companies spending money on advertising not to drink and drive or to designate a driver (actually, I think they have to by law) when they can spend money on public transportation which will allow there buyers to drink as much as they want without the fear of dying. Hey, even the DD will be able to drink, cause, hey, there's the bus.

I bike to work to. Two - three times a week, 35-45 minutes there, same back. It's not a horrible ride, but the streets have pot holes, many don't have bike lanes, and many of the cars don't pay any attention. Only people who feel really comfortable riding, or are really dedicated, actually do, the rest, they will still drive. They aren't going to ride until its easy for them and is more accepted. But how do you do that?

There are other ways to use less. Such as turning off my computer once in a while. But we have to start thinking that less is better, not more (despite what our commericals and our culture tells us).