TROUBL

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter, in response to the oil shock, addressed the nation with maturity and insight. He said the good times were over, and it was time to grow up, put on a sweater, turn the thermostat down, and get on with your life. Carter proposed a national solar energy bank, and said that in twenty years, he wanted 20% of U.S. power to come from solar energy. Leading by example, he even installed solar panels on the roof of the White House.

He was practically impeached on the spot.

A year later, Reagan appeared on the scene with the charisma of a Hollywood icon. Using fancy and colorful language, he essentially told Americans to stick their heads back in the sand and that were doing just fine. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that politicians are not proposing radical energy change, except Dick Cheney, who’s pushing it in a radically wrong direction.

But we can’t just blame politicians. We must blame ourselves. You may have heard of the term “NIMBY, ” which stands for “Not in My Back Yard.” It’s the notion that most municipal projects are great for everyone—just don’t put it in my backyard! Today, the phrase has spawned “Not in My Drive Way,” the notion that we should all be driving hybrids or smaller, more fuel efficient cars, just don’t pry my hand for the steering wheel of my SUV.

Think about it: We can walk into any tune-up shop in the country and get our car modified to be faster, louder, and more “testosteronier” by taking out a few emission controls, or lowering the fuel efficiency. How many shops will modify a car’s computer chips to cut back horsepower and add fuel efficiency? Moviegoers paid to see three “Fast and Furious” movies but would they line up to see Vin (Bio)Diesel in “The Green and the Efficient?”

When we buy a new car, we typically have to choose a basic, middle, or premium model. Although the premium model includes luxuries like heated seats and power windows, it is premium because it packs the largest engine. Why not market a premium model that includes hybrid option?