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Backseat Driver: Global warming remains abstract

Despite mounting evidence from the scientific community that man-made carbon emissions are changing the world's atmosphere, it is likely that we will do the minimum to deal with the problem until we are forced to. Indeed, many of us won't do anything at all.

Yes, we are driving more fuel efficient vehicles and new technologies - from clean diesel, to gas hybrids to hydrogen fuel cells are beginning to thunder over the horzon - but it is really too little that is possible too late.

But that has always been our history in dealing with major crises - whether geographical or geopolitical let alone domestic civil and political strife. And when I say we, I mean the entire human community.

Global warming is too abstract a notion for the average person to get their head around. And the changes required to deal with it in a prophylactic fashion call for more sacrifice from individiuals, communites, nations and economic interests than can be marshalled without overwhelming evidence of imminent danger.

When I last wrote about global warming following the joint granting of the Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a number of people complained that global warming was by no means a proven threat. I had referred to them as troglodytes, which was very rude, but have to confess that debating the reality of global warming at this point is the equivalent of Nero's infamous fiddling while Rome burned.

As a recent panel of scientists from around the world recently concluded in a policy paper for government leaders to consider at a meeting next month in Indonesia, "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal."

That sets the tone of the meeting in Indonesia that will set the agenda for a round of talks on a new international treaty on controlling carbon emissions when the current measures in the Kyoto Protocol expire in 2012.

Call me a doomsayer, but I do not think humankind will get serious about this problem until some fearful event occurs that is indisputably linked to global warming. Katrina, forest fires in California, flooding in Europe and S.E. Asia, drought in Australia? All are isolated and can possibly be explained by normal variations in the global climate.

An old saw has it that we humans are inferior to cats, superior to dogs and on the same level as donkeys. Why? Because only a donkey would fall in the same ditch time and time again.

Maybe that's condescending to donkeys, but the history of our kind when it comes to dealing with major crises is not encouraging. We seem to let them foster and fester until they erupt in a splurge of bloodletting and dislocation.

A history of the 20th century, with its wars and revolutions would seem to provide all the lessons we need in the tragic consequences of ignoring problems until too late. I wish I could be more optimistic, but I do not think the continuing skeptism toward this problem combined with the unwillingness of economic and political interests to make sacrifices or take responsibility or risks bode well for us all.

- Peter C.T. Elsworth

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 11:39 AM to commentary , commentary | Permalink | Comments 1

Inches Above the Road and in the Man’s Face

LOWRIDERS are riding high. For instance, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has just opened an exhibition entitled “La Vida Lowrider: Cruising the City of Angels.” It includes 21 cars, several bicycles, pedal cars, scale models, photographs and other images from the lowrider culture of Los Angeles, according to the New York Times.

This is not the museum’s first exploration of the subject. In 2000, it held a show called “Arte y Estilo: The Lowriding Tradition.”

“We always thought about revisiting the subject,” said Denise M. Sandoval, the guest curator for both shows and an assistant professor of Latino studies at California State University, Northridge. “We wanted to tell a cohesive story. This show is a way to teach kids the early history of L.A.,” or at least the mid-20th-century part of it.

The new show, which runs through June 8, emphasizes the social side of lowriding in Los Angeles. Things have changed in the city since the Petersen’s last lowrider show. The city has a mayor with Hispanic roots, for one thing. Also, the image of lowriding is no longer that of outlaws, and Professor Sandoval’s emphasis in the exhibition is on ethnic, neighborhood and family pride. She said car clubs provided an alternative to criminal gangs, a cause for community spirit and an avenue for family bonding.

Almost forgotten is the rebellion in which lowriding was born. Lowering cars as close to the pavement as possible was a symbol of defiance, as irritating to authorities as drag-racing souped up Model A’s or installing very loud sound systems in Honda Civics.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:51 AM to Shows | Permalink | Comments 0

Ford-owned Volvo Cars recalls 56,000 vehicles

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Volvo Cars said Thursday it was recalling 56,000 vehicles because of two separate problems, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said 38,000 diesel cars of the S60, V 70 XC 70 and XC 90 models made in 2006 were being called back in Europe due to a material fault that could cause the motor catching fire. The second callback, involving 18,000 of the company's latest V 70 and XC 70 models, relates to an air bag problem in the side of the car.

Bohlin said the fuel injector plants or bolts, located on top of the motor cylinder, were faulty, potentially causing diesel to leak out into the motor.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 10:40 AM to Ford , Volvo | Permalink | Comments 1

Chrysler sports future tech, runs on conventional engines

DETROIT — Chrysler will introduce three concept electric vehicles next year that are designed to be totally electric or supplemented by diesel motors or hydrogen fuel cells, the automaker said Tuesday, according to USA Today.

The concepts, to be unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, are an effort to call attention to the company's research in futuristic power systems.

But none will be powered by the advanced systems yet, a company spokesman said.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:29 AM to Chrysler | Permalink | Comments 0

Oil Prices Fall Below $97

Oil prices fell Friday as the market turned its attention to OPEC for signals of a production increase that might ease record prices, according to the Associated Press.

Trading volumes were also thin due to the U.S. Thanksgiving festivities and a public holiday Friday in Japan. Electronic trading was not affected.

Light, sweet crude for January delivery lost 62 cents to $96.67 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Europe. The contract rose as high as $97.64 earlier in the day before retreating.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:27 AM to Crude oil market | Permalink | Comments 0