I have a neighbor who recently traded in his 15 year old Toyota and bought a Prius - saying he wanted to " lower his carbon footprint"..
Did he?
I contend that no - he did not.
His Toyota was paid for. It already existed - and it continues to exist. It actually wasn't in bad shape. It actually got OK had mileage over 30 mpg - he wasn't quite sure.
The Prius needed to be built -- that itself has a carbon footprint - and it dwarfs the difference between the gas that he would burn in the Toyota versus the difference in saving gas in the better milage Prius.
Think about what goes into building a new car - the mining and refining of raw materials, the building of tooling to build components, the building of those components and then the assembly and transport ( as components as well) to the dealer. If you are buying a new car - you' re responsible for all that increased carbon footprint.
You just don't think about it.
You believe the dealer who tells you you're " saving the planet"
No - if you really want to lower your carbon footprint - stay home, or walk.
Did he?
I contend that no - he did not.
His Toyota was paid for. It already existed - and it continues to exist. It actually wasn't in bad shape. It actually got OK had mileage over 30 mpg - he wasn't quite sure.
The Prius needed to be built -- that itself has a carbon footprint - and it dwarfs the difference between the gas that he would burn in the Toyota versus the difference in saving gas in the better milage Prius.
Think about what goes into building a new car - the mining and refining of raw materials, the building of tooling to build components, the building of those components and then the assembly and transport ( as components as well) to the dealer. If you are buying a new car - you' re responsible for all that increased carbon footprint.
You just don't think about it.
You believe the dealer who tells you you're " saving the planet"
No - if you really want to lower your carbon footprint - stay home, or walk.
