[brandon272]

One thing I am finding really nuts is that, in spite of what we now know about climate change, North American drivers are currently thirsting for larger and larger, less fuel efficient, very expensive trucks and sport utility vehicles. Auto manufacturers are currently tripping over themselves to design and produce larger vehicles to satisfy that demand.

Given that, I have a really hard time reconciling the "we just can't do anything, sorry, it'll hurt our freedoms" attitude with the "I don't care about my CO2 output" attitude that is evident in the consumption behaviours of most people I see. It's as if they consider outputting tonne after tonne of carbon into the atmosphere as a point of pride or immutable entitlement.

[drak0n1c]

The data shows that the U.S. lowered emissions in 2017 and 2018 more than other major countries. A fraction of the <10% of emissions that personal vehicles make up isn't worth focusing valuable attention and effort toward.

https://reason.com/blog/2018/05/04/us-carbon-dioxide-emissio...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2017/10/24/yes-the-u-s-...

[brandon272]

Our views on vehicles and vehicle fuel consumption are symbolic of how we view our commitment to lowering emissions. People aren't buying huge SUV's because they've analyzed the data to determine that the relative impact of their consumption isn't worth buying a smaller vehicle. They are choosing to spend more on fuel-guzzling vehicles (and spend more on fuel) because their consumption and output is an afterthought.

While total overall emissions (in the U.S.) may be steady or shrinking, the total amount of emissions for transportation is growing. There's no excuse for that. All it tells us is that an overall reduction in GHG emissions could be even lower if people made slightly more conscientious transport choices.

https://rhg.com/research/preliminary-2017-us-emissions/

[jfnixon]

"People aren't buying huge SUV's because they've analyzed the data to determine that the relative impact of their consumption isn't worth buying a smaller vehicle."

Just curious how you know this to be true.

[brandon272]

It's an assumption. Would be happy to be proven wrong if you know otherwise.

[jfnixon]

Anecdotal only, but I notice my friends with more than 3 kids need a larger vehicle. Also, heavier vehicles are safer for the passengers. And some people need to carry cargo.

I'm sure not everyone has a 'good' reason, but a fair number of people do make a conscious choice.

[brandon272]

My assertion wasn't I assumed that people aren't making a conscious choice, but rather that they aren't pouring over international carbon emissions data as part of that decision making process.

As far as what families feel they "need", I think it represents a larger societal issue around how we manage vehicle use and ownership. Most pickup trucks I see on the road aren't hauling cargo. And most 7 or 8 passenger SUVs have 1 or 2 people in them.

> Also, heavier vehicles are safer for the passengers.

Yes, for the passengers in that particular vehicle. More dangerous for others on the road who can't afford or are unwilling to purchase a similarly sized vehicle.

[minikites]

>It's as if they consider outputting tonne after tonne of carbon into the atmosphere as a point of pride.

They absolutely do, it's about spite and punishing other people:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/business/energy-environme...

>“Why don’t you go live in Sweden and get the heck out of our country,” Mr. Blue wrote.” I will continue to roll coal anytime I feel like and fog your stupid eco-cars.”

http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/29/17971903-to-figh...

>The negative impact of environmental messaging became apparent when 210 study participants were given $2 to go light bulb shopping. When energy efficient, but more costly, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) were sold with a sticker that read "Protect the Environment," conservatives shied away from them.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/10/the-cruelt...

>Taking joy in that suffering is more human than most would like to admit. Somewhere on the wide spectrum between adolescent teasing and the smiling white men in the lynching photographs are the Trump supporters whose community is built by rejoicing in the anguish of those they see as unlike them, who have found in their shared cruelty an answer to the loneliness and atomization of modern life.

[dTal]

This comment is not overstating matters. I encourage anyone to go and skim the Wikipedia article on "rolling coal" to appreciate the magnitude of the issue. This isn't quiet resentment of environmentalism we're talking about here, this is open and self-aware rebellion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_coal

[wcoenen]

> go and skim the Wikipedia article on "rolling coal" to appreciate the magnitude of the issue

The article just describes what it is. It has no information on how prevalent the practice is.