Back To The Future: Streetcars In Our Cities
Posted May 10, 2010 in Moving Beyond Oil
Last Friday was a beautiful spring day here in D.C., and I filmed a little spot for the Mobility Choice Facebook page in front of some cool streetcars on display near the D.C. NRDC office. This is one of many means available to us as part of our national energy-independence tool kit, aggressive deployment of which would help steer us clear of more catastrophes in two gulfs -- the Gulf of Mexico and the Persian Gulf.
Here's the video:
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Comments
Will Ross — May 11 2010 12:08 AM
It is absolutely necessary to reduce our oil use (dependency, if you like) and to promote transit. But you also need to think about where the electricity is coming from - 50% from dirty coal and some percent from nuclear. While streetcars are part of the solution, designing walkable and cycleable neighborhoods is better still. All three transport modes can improve social, economic and environmental indicators.
I was particularly UNimpressed with the speakers reference to the Middle East and his special mention of 'countries like Iran', suggesting that these are the bad guys that we should have nothing to do with. That sounds too much like George W Bush talking and unnecessary. Better promote the many positive aspects of streetcars than further increase blind prejudices.
Deron Lovaas — May 11 2010 07:21 AM
Thanks for your comment. I agree about the positive attributes of streetcars, and walking and biking are laudable too. Re: Iran, while we do not import oil directly from it our status as huge oil consumer drives up global prices, benefiting every exporting nation. And I've read enough about the regime to know sending money their way is a bad idea. That statement is neither blind, nor prejudiced.