John Edwards: Americans Should 'Sacrifice' SUVs for Environment

[Caladan 19]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

I've been back and forth about this since I totaled my car about 2 weeks ago and am in the market for something new. Same situation - my little Honda crunched up like an aluminum can and I couldn't have been going more than 15 when I rearended a big Dodge Ram. No damage to his truck.

Although someone told me that the body of a smaller car like that takes all of the damage in order to protect the passenger cabin.

Surely there must be some good compromises...Volvo?

That's it, jenn. The little cars crumple and the damage looks worse, but it protects the passenger cabin. Volvos I think still have a roll cage which really protects the passenger cabin.

But I don't blame people for wanting the bigger car. It feels safer and SUVs do loom. I don't think they're actually safer because I at least, can't get a good sense of the car's handling in an SUV. The only way to get people to stop driving them is to offer great tax breaks for people buying smaller fuel efficient cars.

We currently have a minivan that C. bought from his cousin for $100. It's in pretty good shape. It was useful driving him the 3000 miles here, but as soon as he has his greencard and a regular income I'm ditching the thing for something smaller. I haven't had a car for five years, though, and we're still only a one car household. We don't use it all that much.

[Marilyn. 340]

i really dislike it when celebrities, politicians etc... tell us little people that we should protect the environment etc... as they are flying around the world in their private jets and driving their big fancy cars

[Peikko 1,575]

I agree that it does come accross as hypercritical, but it doesn't make the point any less valid. It is true that we are mucking up our environment (whether or not you believe in 'global warming' and the impact of cars on that aspect). Reducing environmental polutants should be right at the top of our agenda, unless we really do want our kids growing up in a sewer...

[Caladan 19]

There's no way around it. You can't be a world leader without having an airplane. You can't campaign for environmental concerns, or ending poverty, or anything, without spending money.

It surely comes across as hypocritical, but better hypocritical than encouraging MORE waste.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wasn't convinced by SUVs at first when I moved to the States. I mean, hardly anyone has one in the UK. Then on Labor Day weekend last year we were rear-ended by a woman driving a Honda Element. Her entire front end caved in and it cost her over $3000 to repair it, scary since it was a new car and she hit us. And all that at about 5 miles per hour (we were in gridlocked traffic and she forgot how to control her car.)

Hubby's SUV didn't even get a ding.

So I would rather have a big car to at least keep me and hubby safe, especially if the majority of everyone else has a big car. But if there starts to be a dramatic swing to smaller, economic cars, only then will I think about it.

I've been back and forth about this since I totaled my car about 2 weeks ago and am in the market for something new. Same situation - my little Honda crunched up like an aluminum can and I couldn't have been going more than 15 when I rearended a big Dodge Ram. No damage to his truck.

Although someone told me that the body of a smaller car like that takes all of the damage in order to protect the passenger cabin.

Surely there must be some good compromises...Volvo?

I though SUV's had some of the worst crash test results in terms of passenger safety?

I'm not sure about that - but I do know that SUVs are more prone to rolling over on turns (can't corner as tightly as a regular cars). Apparently some drivers don't take into account that SUVs have a higher centre of gravity than a regular passenger car.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There's no way around it. You can't be a world leader without having an airplane. You can't campaign for environmental concerns, or ending poverty, or anything, without spending money.

It surely comes across as hypocritical, but better hypocritical than encouraging MORE waste.

I'd liken it to a candidate who is slightly overweight stating that we have an obesity problem and we (collectively) need to address it.

[mawilson 2,133]

I'd liken it to a candidate who is slightly overweight stating that we have an obesity problem and we (collectively) need to address it.

Then you'd be pleased to know that the CDC's top obesity expert is Dr William Dietz, and not Dr Fatz.

[Geist 0]

Americans should sacrifice SUVs for Environment, eh?

Does that mean we get to have pyres for them, too? That'd be awesome cause I am all about big flaming pits of....well, fire. Throwing an SUV or two in it could only make it cooler. Add marshmellows and liquor and I am sooo there.

[Artegal 1]

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

So a typical work week would be working 10 hours from home on Monday and Tuesday. Going to the office and working 10 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and taking Friday off--this is already the work schedule that many in Congress enjoy.

Now how many have seen a presidential Motorcade? I saw Clinton's motorcade when it came to Atlanta, and there were several limos and like a hundred SUVs, I mean it looked like an SUV freight train passing by. I wonder if elected to the presidency will John Edwards curtail the traditional motorcades?

Maybe he could teleconference more, or travel by train instead--if its wood burning engine it would be a null carbon emitter.

Anyway everytime I type or say John Edwards I think of the guy that can talk to dead relatives. Both are creepy, and equally full of ######.

[mawilson 2,133]

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

I love this plan - I could use the extra time to go for a drive in my SUV!

[Ban Hammer 13,619]

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

So a typical work week would be working 10 hours from home on Monday and Tuesday. Going to the office and working 10 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and taking Friday off--this is already the work schedule that many in Congress enjoy.

Now how many have seen a presidential Motorcade? I saw Clinton's motorcade when it came to Atlanta, and there were several limos and like a hundred SUVs, I mean it looked like an SUV freight train passing by. I wonder if elected to the presidency will John Edwards curtail the traditional motorcades?

Maybe he could teleconference more, or travel by train instead--if its wood burning engine it would be a null carbon emitter.

Anyway everytime I type or say John Edwards I think of the guy that can talk to dead relatives. Both are creepy, and equally full of ######.

along with that, people could either have monday off ( tue to fri workday) or friday off (mon to thu workday). this would also cut down on road congestion and perhaps even additional construction, along with what may well be a considerable savings in gasoline.

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

I love this plan - I could use the extra time to go for a drive in my SUV!

[Stabu 0]

In my opinnion the American government could cut carbon emmisions by reducing the amount of bombs, tanks and guns they buy by say 100% for starters. They could also put a 100% ban on the use of cars and airoplanes for politicians and subsidize buss and train tickets for them instead. Politicians could travel to over sea conferences by boat. After they've done that they would have some credibility in their complaints about average citizens causing global warming...

[Heracles 417]

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

So a typical work week would be working 10 hours from home on Monday and Tuesday. Going to the office and working 10 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and taking Friday off--this is already the work schedule that many in Congress enjoy.

Now how many have seen a presidential Motorcade? I saw Clinton's motorcade when it came to Atlanta, and there were several limos and like a hundred SUVs, I mean it looked like an SUV freight train passing by. I wonder if elected to the presidency will John Edwards curtail the traditional motorcades?

Maybe he could teleconference more, or travel by train instead--if its wood burning engine it would be a null carbon emitter.

Anyway everytime I type or say John Edwards I think of the guy that can talk to dead relatives. Both are creepy, and equally full of ######.

The key is rail. As well as light rail. Basically the infrastructure torn out many years ago, in the US, needs to be re-installed. High speed trains would also reinvigorate small towns as it would make commuting to major cities for work feasible; while living out of town. In a country of 300,000,000 simply driving smaller cars is not the solution.

A better way to cut emissions, save the environment, and improve worker's health and something that we currently have the technology to do is cut the work hours from five 8 hour days to four 10 hour days. Give everyone Friday off, and then also stipulate that on average half of the 40 hours per week should be telecommute hours.

I love this plan - I could use the extra time to go for a drive in my SUV!

:lol: :lol:

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The key is rail. As well as light rail. Basically the infrastructure torn out many years ago, in the US, needs to be re-installed. High speed trains would also reinvigorate small towns as it would make commuting to major cities for work feasible

I agree completely.

As a matter of fact, a few decades ago, the rail had a much more prominent role in everyday transportation in the US northeast than it does today. The remnants of that are there for all to see - abandoned tracks, deactivated stations. Rail reactivation would do a lot of good to many older towns that are now in an advanced state of decay (think certain towns along the Hudson Valley).