In a battle for the ages (not really), (2) Electric Vehicles takes on (7) Carbon Offsets. Two ideas will enter and only one will exit! Who will it be?!
Electric Vehicles
Don't be mistaken. I mentioned last time that Hybrid Vehicles referred to Electric Hybrids. Electric Hybrids and Electric Vehicles are not the same; they're not even in the same ballpark. Electric Vehicles run purely on electricity. None of that gasoline crap. True, many of them have gasoline backups in case the battery runs out, but for the first 40 or so miles, it's all electric.
Impact on the Environment (9/15):
Half of you probably think that number is too high, half too low. The half that think it's too low are probably less informed about Electric Cars. Yes, it's awesome that Electric Vehicles have no carbon emissions when they're using their batteries, so you'd think that the impact on the environment would be extremely low (with a high score). But electricity has to come from somewhere and that somewhere is largely coal and natural gas (which emit carbon emissions). So you think that Electric Vehicles would be neutral for the environment compared to regular cars. Right now, probably. But in the future, as we go to more alternative energy, we can take advantage of reduced carbon emissions from the electric grid.
Practicality (8/10):
While Electric Vehicles have had a long and spotty history, we're almost at the point where technology is good enough that they could catch on in a more mainstream way. Scientists have created batteries that last long enough to get most people to work and back, so as long as you don't want to go roadtripping, Electric Vehicles may be a good fit for you.
Sustainability (7/10):
Ultimately, we'd have to find something better than cars (Trains maybe?). Environmental concerns aside, our infrastructure is almost at a breaking point. Roads are overly crowded and becoming more and more costly to repair. (Asphalt - not good for the environment by the way). But for now, Electric Vehicles are a very good option.
Awesomeness (7/10):
Anyone who can make glorified golf carts be main draws at car shows across the country deserves a medal. A medal for awesomeness.
User Input (1/5):
Electric Vehicles, FTW!
Carbon Offsets
Carbon Offsets (CO) are pretty simple. You fly somewhere in a plane and you pay a certain amount that goes towards alternative energies or carbon capture or some such thing. It's not a great system, but it is a way to reduce the guilt you feel from burning dinosaur remains.
Impact on the Environment (??/15):
It's really really hard to say what kind of impact CO have on the environment. The problem is that you don't really know where that money is going. Are people really using that money to directly buy solar panels and wind turbines? Do those solar panels really reduce carbon emissions by as much as you emitted? How much money is going towards administrative costs? Are you being ripped off by the companies that are selling these? It's just too hard to tell.
Practicality (7/10):
I mean, really. If we knew that there was a good system in place for this whole thing, this would be a great way to increase funding for alternative energy technologies. And it's extremely easy to do. Lots of airline companies have options on their websites that tacks on the CO costs directly when you're booking your flight.
Sustainability (3/10):
Anything that doesn't have a visible thing that they can hand people when they buy them will not sell well for long. People need to see something tangible when they're buying it, so I don't see CO being popular for all that long.
Awesomeness (1/10):
When I first hear about these I guess it sounded somewhat awesome. But the more I thought about it, the more this idea seemed to fall into the category of naming stars after people or buying land on the moon. This is just a lazy way for people to think they're being better for the environment because they payed a little extra.
User Input (0/5):
Get those comments in, everyone!
Alright, let's tally those scores!
Electric Vehicles: 32
Carbon Offsets: 11-26
Even at its best, Carbon Offsets falls short at 26. And that concludes the Green Travel Region, Round 1! Tune in Wednesday to kick off the Green Energy Region when (1) Wind Power takes on (8) Tidal Power!
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