While I agree about technological fixes being possible, and the crisis having more to do with transport than with oil, I must disagree with Mr Turon in some regards.
Trans-oceanic shipping is NOT energy efficient; efficient per product unit per mile, and efficient for the manufacturer who can displace costs, but globalization does not begin and end with container shipping. Raw materials are transported to manufacturing sites. Finished product are first and last transported via trucks and/or rail to distribution and sub-distribution points. Even the consumer adds to transport system by the drive across the county to the Costco, Walmart and Big Box Retailer.
Globalization works for the manufacturer, but not the consumer as fuel costs inexorably rise. There is a range of economies that begin at 'local' then 'regional' then 'state' and then 'national' which must be maintained but are made dysfunctional by today's 'global' economy. The most energy efficient economies are 'regional' and 'state' because efficiencies are not lost in the costs of transport further distances.
Mr Turan is certainly correct about Plug-in Hybrid vehicle technology. Imagine having a portable power source that may prove invaluable in an emergency, grid failure or (dare I say utility price gouging?), may allow households the means to more carefully monitor electricity consumption and power many household appliances; may create an economic incentive to drive less, patronize local economies whereby in time more destinations become accessable without having to drive and whereby walking, bicycling become a more viable travel option and mass transit more practical to arrange. The plug-in hybrid batteries carefully mounted may lower center-of-gravity to improve stability and handling, perfect for top-heavy, roll-prone SUVs or any car. I wonder if the implementation of plug-in hybrid technology is hindered mainly because their average useful lifespans may exceed 200,000 to 300,000 miles, or that the public will thus be invested in an area's utility grid and have more say over utility costs.
Posted on July 16 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I agree about technological fixes being possible, and the crisis having more to do with transport than with oil, I must disagree with Mr Turon in some regards.
Trans-oceanic shipping is NOT energy efficient; efficient per product unit per mile, and efficient for the manufacturer who can displace costs, but globalization does not begin and end with container shipping. Raw materials are transported to manufacturing sites. Finished product are first and last transported via trucks and/or rail to distribution and sub-distribution points. Even the consumer adds to transport system by the drive across the county to the Costco, Walmart and Big Box Retailer.
Globalization works for the manufacturer, but not the consumer as fuel costs inexorably rise. There is a range of economies that begin at 'local' then 'regional' then 'state' and then 'national' which must be maintained but are made dysfunctional by today's 'global' economy. The most energy efficient economies are 'regional' and 'state' because efficiencies are not lost in the costs of transport further distances.
Mr Turan is certainly correct about Plug-in Hybrid vehicle technology. Imagine having a portable power source that may prove invaluable in an emergency, grid failure or (dare I say utility price gouging?), may allow households the means to more carefully monitor electricity consumption and power many household appliances; may create an economic incentive to drive less, patronize local economies whereby in time more destinations become accessable without having to drive and whereby walking, bicycling become a more viable travel option and mass transit more practical to arrange. The plug-in hybrid batteries carefully mounted may lower center-of-gravity to improve stability and handling, perfect for top-heavy, roll-prone SUVs or any car. I wonder if the implementation of plug-in hybrid technology is hindered mainly because their average useful lifespans may exceed 200,000 to 300,000 miles, or that the public will thus be invested in an area's utility grid and have more say over utility costs.
On Op-ed column: Technology is there