The prius affect

I was speaking with a German friend last week about girl stuff–like catalyst converters and carbon emissions in Germany. Well after talk moved on from boys and shoes, we stumbled upon what I think should be called: the Prius effect. You’ve heard about it; it’s a way that some believe they’re doing their bit by driving their hybrid. Everywhere.

Andrea went home to Germany to visit parents and relatives during the summertime. On a sunny Hamburg day, sitting with neighbours on lawn chairs, the neighbours sitting next to her saw a neighbour’s friend driving up with a VW 1968 Bettle from the shop down he road, obviously unable to be outfitted with the newest carbon reductions technologies which mask several of the most significant chemicals (methane and carbon, among others).

They, after eating lunch, promptly got in their 2008 Prius and drove to the store to buy some wine for a party that night. The neighbours use their Prius regularly because, as they point out, it does negate some of the harmful chemicals and gases which come from their tailpipe. Nevertheless, because of the frequency of their trips, it actually makes their car worse than the Bettle.

The moral of the story? Old is not necessarily less carbon intensive. In a sense, it’s like having five low-fat biscuits because you think the shortbread is too fattening. Why not have a sponge cake instead? In another way, why not instead of using that carbon gussler, why not cycle, walk or take public transport. Mabye you run on excesses from locally-used vegetable oil (yes you can, according to wikipedia) and lobby for public transport with your neighbours?

So don’t just eat biscuits and make fun of the Bettle’s. Consider the Prius affect and tap your neighbours’ friend on the back. Maybe you can go to the store together next time?

~ by Erica Grigg on 31/08/2008.