Do you drive an SUV?

[Anonymous]

“You do realize it is possible to enjoy a modern lifestyle without the environmental impact of the average American? Look at Western Europe. Driving an SUV is simply a lifestyle choice.”

SUVs do not fit on tiny, ancient Western European city-center streets. That’s why they all drive tiny cars. Move out to the countryside or the resorts or to the vacation areas, and Europe’s affluent all drive SUVs.

[Anonymous]

I drive an ultra-low emission diesel suv only when necessary. Otherwise we drive in DH’s electric sedan.

[Anonymous]

Who cares?? The earth will die anyway. I think it is very egocentric that you think your vehicle choice alone will make a difference. I drive a truck, super stroke, heavy duty but need it as I live on a farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recycling does not help the planet much. Recycling consumes a ton of energy.

I'm just curious what size home you have? I hope its a tiny one like the rest of us and not some oversized mansion. It does help. Why don't you stop eating and buying things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drive an ultra-low emission diesel suv only when necessary. Otherwise we drive in DH’s electric sedan.

Aren't you wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Hello? The first thing a typical American does to prepare for a kid is to buy an SUV! Get out from under your rock OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you believe that the use of fossil fuels has caused/accelerated/contributed to climate change and drive an SUV, please help me understand how you reconcile your beliefs with your vehicle choice. I would genuinely like to know. I live in Bethesda and practically everybody I know drives an SUV. Yet I'm pretty sure that, if I asked, they would say they are very concerned about climate change and disappointed the US withdrew from the Kyoto protocol. Obviously I risk alienating friends and neighbors if I ask this directly as it could sound accusatory. Please only answer if you have an SUV and these beliefs.

Because I spend two hours in bad traffic every day, and I have a better chance surviving a collision in my SUV than in a little Prius.
People tend to focus on the immediate rather than the future.
This is the same reason that most prevention messages fall flat with the public. People are more focused on their daily life than on preventing a disease that may or may not happen in the future.

Plus for that commute you need something that can handle snow and rain well.

[Anonymous]

The earth and civilization is doomed eventually. Give or take a few hundred years. No matter how much we try to save it - the next big war will negate all we have done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Recycling does not help the planet much. Recycling consumes a ton of energy.

I'm just curious what size home you have? I hope its a tiny one like the rest of us and not some oversized mansion. It does help. Why don't you stop eating and buying things?

https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/recycling-china-landfills-cost-waste-environment-global-warming/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello? The first thing a typical American does to prepare for a kid is to buy an SUV! Get out from under your rock OP.

OP knows that. S/he just wanted to vent some self righteous feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you believe that the use of fossil fuels has caused/accelerated/contributed to climate change and drive an SUV, please help me understand how you reconcile your beliefs with your vehicle choice. I would genuinely like to know. I live in Bethesda and practically everybody I know drives an SUV. Yet I'm pretty sure that, if I asked, they would say they are very concerned about climate change and disappointed the US withdrew from the Kyoto protocol. Obviously I risk alienating friends and neighbors if I ask this directly as it could sound accusatory. Please only answer if you have an SUV and these beliefs.

Because I spend two hours in bad traffic every day, and I have a better chance surviving a collision in my SUV than in a little Prius.
People tend to focus on the immediate rather than the future.
This is the same reason that most prevention messages fall flat with the public. People are more focused on their daily life than on preventing a disease that may or may not happen in the future.

Plus for that commute you need something that can handle snow and rain well.

Rain? Are you joking? Plenty of people in New England have Priuses. Put snow tires on it or learn to drive.

[Anonymous]

People are driven by emotions and as a result society cannot sustain itself. We we self destruct

[Anonymous]

17:51 European here. Perhaps you need to do a little more research, maybe plan another holiday to the Italian riviera or Provence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you SUV drivers know you are harming the environment and destroying your children's future. Yet you do it anyway. How do you reconcile that, exactly?

My SUV gets gas mileage that is comparable to many cars. So, by your logic, isn’t anyone who doesn’t drive the highest mpg car needlessly harming the environment and destroying their children’s future? Or how about anyone who chooses a combustion engine, regardless of mpg, over an electric vehicle?

[Anonymous]

17:57. OP here. No, not venting self-righteous feelings. Just don't get the dissonance between what I hear around me here in ultra-liberal Bethesda and what people actually do. I hear people criticizing Trump for withdrawing from Kyoto but much of what I see on the ground is no different.