|
It’s great when anyone makes a stand against gas-guzzling, car-driving business as usual. But when that voice comes from an oil- or auto-industry insider, or a voice of profound influence, there’s cause for celebration. It somehow feels like a personal victory.
Just this week, both the Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist head-honchos have recognized that, as god’s creation, the earth is worth saving. Recently, a Nissan exec foretold the end of a car-dominated society. Now Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former head of Shell Oil, is calling for a ban on cars that get less than 35 miles per gallon.
Sir Mark feels that London’s proposed congestion pricing and low-emission zones don’t go far enough; legislation is necessary to compel the auto industry towards a meaningful change. Sir Mark was chairman of Royal Dutch Shell from 1998 to 2001, and sat on the board until 2005.
From the Telegraph:
"When we eliminated coal fires in London we didn't say to people in Chelsea you can pay a bit more and toast your crumpets in front of an open fire - we said nobody, but nobody, could have an open fire," he said.
And he thought that, despite industry protests, the (automobile) sector would adapt to new rules as it had done so in the past.
"When we introduced catalytic converters the car-makers said it would put the price of cars through the roof - but it didn't. Now we all have to have catalytic converters - that's only right," Sir Mark told BBC News.
Sir Mark recognizes necessity as the mother of transformation – in this case greening-up our cars. It’s amazing to hear these words from someone who’s been at the heart of the oil industry while here in the U.S. we debate about CAFE standards ad infinitum.
More efficient cars are good, and industry execs recognizing the inherent unsustainability of our current model is great. At the end of the day, however, more efficient vehicles alone just aint gonna cut it.
See also: CAFE Doesn’t Cut It: VMT Reduction Needed
In Norway, No Car Is "Green"
Exxon: Exxposed and Punk’d!
And for perspective, one of On The Level's rips on Shell.
Photo via flickr by ping ping.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed