California sues oil companies, wants trillions
09-21-23, 09:48 AM
#31
I am a father and I'm terrified for what my daughter's generation will experience. But I have some hope too.
I was recently at a car show with thousands of pre-emissions-era vehicles cruising around a fairgrounds in Southern California. And the collective uncatalyzed fumes nearly made me vomit. I didn't live in Los Angeles then, but in the 1970s, the locals say the air was toxic most of the time. Where I was growing up in the North East, acid rain had nuked forests and lakes.
But thanks to changes made by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, we've managed to make a lot of positive changes. But as we've all been experiencing, it hasn't been enough. Not with other global economies experiencing their own industrial revolutions and modernizations. We need to do more, and we know big oil companies have been hiding the truth.
Is this lawsuit going to fix things? No. Are 1000 horsepower 4-ton electric SUVs and trucks going to save the planet? Definitely not.
But we need to try something. Many things. Anything other than staying the course.
We've shown that we can clean up our air and water in significant ways. And I'd like to believe that we can do the same with this next chapter. Maybe we can charge up to four cars in a single house per day if we install solar panels and battery packs. Maybe EV mandates are insane and we need to push for zero-emissions hybrid vehicles while focusing on getting regional and port trucking into electrification with systems like the one Toyota developed that use hydrogen fuel. There probably won't be one answer. Whatever we do isn't going to be free or cheap.
But we know doing nothing is wrong.
I was recently at a car show with thousands of pre-emissions-era vehicles cruising around a fairgrounds in Southern California. And the collective uncatalyzed fumes nearly made me vomit. I didn't live in Los Angeles then, but in the 1970s, the locals say the air was toxic most of the time. Where I was growing up in the North East, acid rain had nuked forests and lakes.
But thanks to changes made by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, we've managed to make a lot of positive changes. But as we've all been experiencing, it hasn't been enough. Not with other global economies experiencing their own industrial revolutions and modernizations. We need to do more, and we know big oil companies have been hiding the truth.
Is this lawsuit going to fix things? No. Are 1000 horsepower 4-ton electric SUVs and trucks going to save the planet? Definitely not.
But we need to try something. Many things. Anything other than staying the course.
We've shown that we can clean up our air and water in significant ways. And I'd like to believe that we can do the same with this next chapter. Maybe we can charge up to four cars in a single house per day if we install solar panels and battery packs. Maybe EV mandates are insane and we need to push for zero-emissions hybrid vehicles while focusing on getting regional and port trucking into electrification with systems like the one Toyota developed that use hydrogen fuel. There probably won't be one answer. Whatever we do isn't going to be free or cheap.
But we know doing nothing is wrong.
09-21-23, 10:32 AM
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Agreed! It is interesting to smell old cars like that, I forget how bad they smelled.
09-21-23, 11:24 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Not only that, but don't forget that many of these cars came from the factory with built-in ash trays and electrically-heated push-in/pop-out cigarette lighters...this was an age when smoking was socially acceptable, and the norm for most adults. The smell of ashes and tobacco smoke would permeate the interior furnishings.
09-21-23, 11:31 AM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Not only that, but don't forget that many of these cars came from the factory with built-in ash trays and electrically-heated push-in/pop-out cigarette lighters...this was an age when smoking was socially acceptable, and the norm for most adults. The smell of ashes and tobacco smoke would permeate the interior furnishings.
09-21-23, 12:21 PM
#36
Smelling from old classic cars is one thing and no one wants it but is that the issue they try to fix? We're talking about different things here. If that were the issue, the "leaders" would have put out different policies directed to these cars.
09-21-23, 01:03 PM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Its just an example of how much cleaner cars run today than they used to.
09-21-23, 02:50 PM
#38
Not only how they used to run, but it was shocking to revisit the fact that gasoline vapors are escaping from the gas caps (which were vented back in the day) as well as the intakes/carburetors.
I was walking past a Tri-Five Chevy that had been stored overnight outside (but under a car cover) just as they were taking off the cover and thank god no one was smoking nearby, hahaha.
I was walking past a Tri-Five Chevy that had been stored overnight outside (but under a car cover) just as they were taking off the cover and thank god no one was smoking nearby, hahaha.
09-21-23, 03:43 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Not only how they used to run, but it was shocking to revisit the fact that gasoline vapors are escaping from the gas caps (which were vented back in the day) as well as the intakes/carburetors.
I was walking past a Tri-Five Chevy that had been stored overnight outside (but under a car cover) just as they were taking off the cover and thank god no one was smoking nearby, hahaha.
I was walking past a Tri-Five Chevy that had been stored overnight outside (but under a car cover) just as they were taking off the cover and thank god no one was smoking nearby, hahaha.
09-21-23, 03:45 PM
#40
Lexus Champion
I am a father and I'm terrified for what my daughter's generation will experience. But I have some hope too.
I was recently at a car show with thousands of pre-emissions-era vehicles cruising around a fairgrounds in Southern California. And the collective uncatalyzed fumes nearly made me vomit. I didn't live in Los Angeles then, but in the 1970s, the locals say the air was toxic most of the time. Where I was growing up in the North East, acid rain had nuked forests and lakes.
But thanks to changes made by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, we've managed to make a lot of positive changes. But as we've all been experiencing, it hasn't been enough. Not with other global economies experiencing their own industrial revolutions and modernizations. We need to do more, and we know big oil companies have been hiding the truth.
Is this lawsuit going to fix things? No. Are 1000 horsepower 4-ton electric SUVs and trucks going to save the planet? Definitely not.
But we need to try something. Many things. Anything other than staying the course.
We've shown that we can clean up our air and water in significant ways. And I'd like to believe that we can do the same with this next chapter. Maybe we can charge up to four cars in a single house per day if we install solar panels and battery packs. Maybe EV mandates are insane and we need to push for zero-emissions hybrid vehicles while focusing on getting regional and port trucking into electrification with systems like the one Toyota developed that use hydrogen fuel. There probably won't be one answer. Whatever we do isn't going to be free or cheap.
But we know doing nothing is wrong.
I was recently at a car show with thousands of pre-emissions-era vehicles cruising around a fairgrounds in Southern California. And the collective uncatalyzed fumes nearly made me vomit. I didn't live in Los Angeles then, but in the 1970s, the locals say the air was toxic most of the time. Where I was growing up in the North East, acid rain had nuked forests and lakes.
But thanks to changes made by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, we've managed to make a lot of positive changes. But as we've all been experiencing, it hasn't been enough. Not with other global economies experiencing their own industrial revolutions and modernizations. We need to do more, and we know big oil companies have been hiding the truth.
Is this lawsuit going to fix things? No. Are 1000 horsepower 4-ton electric SUVs and trucks going to save the planet? Definitely not.
But we need to try something. Many things. Anything other than staying the course.
We've shown that we can clean up our air and water in significant ways. And I'd like to believe that we can do the same with this next chapter. Maybe we can charge up to four cars in a single house per day if we install solar panels and battery packs. Maybe EV mandates are insane and we need to push for zero-emissions hybrid vehicles while focusing on getting regional and port trucking into electrification with systems like the one Toyota developed that use hydrogen fuel. There probably won't be one answer. Whatever we do isn't going to be free or cheap.
But we know doing nothing is wrong.
It's cool to hate on oil producers but you're life would be extremely miserable without them. Modern medicine would cease to exist without oil. The scope of what oil has done to create our modern society is staggering. Oil has lifted billions out of poverty. The benefits are nearly endless.
There is an old saying every drop doesn't think they are the ocean.
09-21-23, 04:12 PM
#41
I understand that I'm part of the problem. It's why I'm calling for change and said "we" several times. But let's not pretend the oil companies are some sort of altruistic heroes, although I readily admit to all the advancements you mention. The sincere question I have is, that's great, we're all at fault, now what?
Maybe I'm a cool kid who hates big oil or whatever, but how do you see moving humanity forward? (Again, all sincerity intended.)
As best as I can tell, this century's calamities aren't going to be solved by me not driving (I've largely worked from home since 2008) and riding a bike (I do that too, although I love my cars). It's going to take massive mobilization at a national scale. The problem is that the necessary changes are not easily identifiable (doing X guarantees this amazing result, etc.), and many people are going to feel like any mandated changes are oppression.
But if we do nothing, extreme weather-fueled catastrophes are going to continue unabated. And maybe it's too late to stop that. Maybe we can only hit the pause button. I don't know. But for our children, I do wish to try.
Maybe I'm a cool kid who hates big oil or whatever, but how do you see moving humanity forward? (Again, all sincerity intended.)
As best as I can tell, this century's calamities aren't going to be solved by me not driving (I've largely worked from home since 2008) and riding a bike (I do that too, although I love my cars). It's going to take massive mobilization at a national scale. The problem is that the necessary changes are not easily identifiable (doing X guarantees this amazing result, etc.), and many people are going to feel like any mandated changes are oppression.
But if we do nothing, extreme weather-fueled catastrophes are going to continue unabated. And maybe it's too late to stop that. Maybe we can only hit the pause button. I don't know. But for our children, I do wish to try.
09-21-23, 05:02 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
You're only looking outward and placing blame. You are the problem. I am. We all are. If you don't want to pollute then don't, ride a bike everywhere. Never buy oil based products. Don't fly. Don't buy any products that use oil and natural gas to produce. But you won't because you very much enjoy your standard of living which is largely enabled by oil. You buy what you want, what makes you comfortable, what entertains you. What you need to survive. I'm not only blaming you, but take responsibility instead of pointing fingers. I know this sounds harsh but people need to be real about their environmental impact.
It's cool to hate on oil producers but you're life would be extremely miserable without them. Modern medicine would cease to exist without oil. The scope of what oil has done to create our modern society is staggering. Oil has lifted billions out of poverty. The benefits are nearly endless.
There is an old saying every drop doesn't think they are the ocean.
It's cool to hate on oil producers but you're life would be extremely miserable without them. Modern medicine would cease to exist without oil. The scope of what oil has done to create our modern society is staggering. Oil has lifted billions out of poverty. The benefits are nearly endless.
There is an old saying every drop doesn't think they are the ocean.
09-21-23, 05:47 PM
#44
Lexus Champion
I understand that I'm part of the problem. It's why I'm calling for change and said "we" several times. But let's not pretend the oil companies are some sort of altruistic heroes, although I readily admit to all the advancements you mention. The sincere question I have is, that's great, we're all at fault, now what?
Maybe I'm a cool kid who hates big oil or whatever, but how do you see moving humanity forward? (Again, all sincerity intended.)
As best as I can tell, this century's calamities aren't going to be solved by me not driving (I've largely worked from home since 2008) and riding a bike (I do that too, although I love my cars). It's going to take massive mobilization at a national scale. The problem is that the necessary changes are not easily identifiable (doing X guarantees this amazing result, etc.), and many people are going to feel like any mandated changes are oppression.
But if we do nothing, extreme weather-fueled catastrophes are going to continue unabated. And maybe it's too late to stop that. Maybe we can only hit the pause button. I don't know. But for our children, I do wish to try.
I think what many people haven't considered is maybe there is no solution. Maybe it's impossible for 8 billion people to maintain their standard of living and do it in an environmentally neutral way. There are currently people with tremendous influence that absolutely believe this, their solution is chilling.