Friday, September 14, 2007

A Smart Idea

Clean energy coupled with energy conservation is what is going to turn around this whole environmental mess on our hands. We simply cannot live the SUV, gas-guzzling lifestyle and expect to get away with it forever. How much do we need to destroy Earth until we get it? Well there are plenty of ideas to follow through with to save energy.

When I was in Europe last month, it was amazing to see all the energy-efficient automobiles on the road. They....get....it. One such four-wheeler is the Smart Car. Not only does it get 40mpg, the 8x5 foot space it takes up on the street enables the driver to get the impossible parking spots Escalades and Suburbans only dream about. When I got home, I was faced with the reality of so many cars that get 20mpg or less that let whomever was driving expand their ego just a little bit farther.

There is hope for us Americans though. The Smart Car is now available to buy in the States....and it only costs about twelve grand. In fact, as the Gothamist reports, 20,000 have signed up for it already. Modifications for the U.S. have been made that makes it stronger and more durable on roads full of cars that are double (or more) its size. If you need to zip around in something and want to feel like a steward of the environment, this is it.