uk daily pundit: I can only gasp at your self-centred and blinkered views! Orthodox scientists now agree that it is not a matter of “whether” but “when” and “how much”. Do you also believe that the whole of the world’s curent biodiversity has sprung from what Noah could cram into his Ark? I’m afraid the flat-earthers have had their day. This “live now, let the next generation pay” attitiude has got to stop!

I do not use a motorised hedge trimmer, and only need to cut my lawn once a month (no rain)

Whilst you live in a green, water full country and relish in higher temperatures. I live in a country where i wash myself with the water saved from my shower (a bucket). We live in the Blue mountains of Sydney. We have natural spring water which feeds our tank supply. Its rate has reduced from 7 litres per second to fill tank. to now 1/2 litre a second. The bore is now closed 6 days out of every 7.

On New years day 2006 it was 54c in the shade where we were staying for holiday. The previous year was the hottest on record. This year will be hotter and drier.

I have never been a “greenie” in fact I used to drive 6litre V8 performance cars. Cars are HUGE image items here ( we have vast distances to cover) Yet I have asked my boss for a Hybrid.

If we all did that, things would turn around…

)

Example:- An Astra ( Opel? in Britain??) costs about $20,000 aus. A toyota Hybrid (called a Prius) cost about $45,000.

The Toyota uses about 4 litres per100km and is very low in emmisions. The Opel about 7 litres per hundred & higher in emmisions.

BUT it takes say 6 months of a consumer working, ie using food, fuel, lights, power etc to purchase the Opel.. against 12 months to purchase the Toyota.

More of the Opel is recyclable (the toyota has a large battery pack which is a pollutant when disposed of)

So, in tests, the Opel is slightly ahead OVERALL of the Prius.

(This is a very simple model And just one of the ingredients).

However, I sell cars at auction for the government and IMAGE is critical in swaying popular opinion. Some of our government departments are using the Toyota product to demonstrate their desire for cleaner burning vehicles.

SO, even if the Lotus was not dirty, the image, plus all the other parts of the formula, are what matters…

If the arguement shifts to reduction in oil dependancey AND carbon, then Hybrids win hands down. We are going to see some amazing Hybrid. vehicles comming out of Japan and Europe. Then these will overtake conventional cars in the “dirty game”.
Just think…. no need for oil.. no need for Iraq/ middle east conflict etc etc so peace…is it posible??? gawd!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4561785.stm

The problem is Ellee, 220g per kilometre is hardly anything. If it is, will you start writing posts about the ‘evils’ of the kitchen dishwasher that releases a hefty 756g of CO2 in every cycle?

Even an hour on a petrol lawnmower releases over 1,000g of CO2 – should we be calling the gardeners of our land ‘climate criminals’ as well?

The Lotus Europa S will never be used as a city centre taxi, by a rep up and down the M6 every day, or by a commuter doing a few hundred miles per day.

It will be more usually bought by middle aged men with spare cash now that the kids have left home. They will put a couple of thousand miles on the clock per year using it on holiday, and sunny Sundays.

As such, most Europas will make a negligable impact on global warming.

But try telling that to an eco-facist.

As for the government. They are trying htis, everyone must do their bit schtick like we are in the war again.

They shoudl start looking a little closer to home. Are we really going to take any notice of two jegs et al?

I think he had it right in this situation, Ellee.