Illuminating Green Tip and ‘50 per cent off’ deal Part 1

My sister Lannie sent me a gardening newsletter last week because she knows my Victory Garden could easily be defeated by my ineptitude.

The newsletter shared this green tip:

"If every household in the country replaced its next burned-out light bulb with a compact flourescent bulb, it would save the same amount of carbon dioxide as taking 1.2 million cars off the road for an entire year." (from 1001 little ways to save our planet, 2007)

It got me thinking:

A better way to reduce carbon is to get most North Americans into a highly fuel-efficient vehicle.

Would you support a government rebate program, up to 50 per cent off the price of the most fuel-efficient cars available on the continent?

["Ollie, what do you think of the rebate idea?"]

If the government stipulated the rebate would only be provided for certain cars (e.g. 6 - 10 of the most fuel-efficient, small to mid-size cars, including an electric (e.g. ZENN), one or two hybrids and North American cars) then our own auto industry just might become more efficient and sustainable.

Rebates are better than bailouts because it puts responsibility on consumers to choose wisely.

They also provide an instant incentive for business to supply a larger supply of highly efficient vehicles.

50 per cent off would entice more people to get clunkers off the road, the cause of high gas consumption and steep carbon emissions.

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Thoughts?

I’m already tinkering with the rebate idea. (Next column will relate).

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