[Rob Hood]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=128569

Article is posted in case the link is bad -

SACRAMENTO, California — The state of California will require all 2009 model and later cars to be labeled with stickers giving their global warming score, starting at the beginning of the year. The labels will rate vehicles on a scale of 1-10 — with 10 being the best and 5 an average number — based on direct emissions and emissions related to fuel production, and will let consumers make comparisons between models.

California vehicles already are given a Smog Score, in which new models are rated on a 1-10 scale for emissions. The labeling will be displayed side by side on new vehicles sold in the state. Consumers can also look up detailed information on the Drive Clean Web site.

New York can expect a similar sticker law for new models starting in 2010.

What this means to you: Environmental-impact stickers: not just for refrigerators anymore.

[rpoz-29]

What human "luxuries" are you referring to?

[DRD T-bone]

What human "luxuries" are you referring to?

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I knew someone would call me on that. I just was searching for a simple definition of environmentalist and I suppose "luxury" fit the bill, but I'll go into it more if you'd like. A more appropriate way to look at it, in my opinion, is in terms of efficiencies. If I'm going 1 mile down the street, do I need to fire up the 'Maro, let it warm up, drive a mile, then shut it off? Time-wise, cost-wise and energy-wise, it'd be more efficient for me to bike. Driving over there is more of a luxury. To some it may be a necessity. Maybe you physically can't bicycle due to physical limitations or weather. This, of course, is an extreme example, but little things like these definitely add up. On the other extreme, in terms of sustaining human life, all that is necessary is a place to sleep, a basic mix of grains and fruits, a supply of oxygen and a place to relieve ones-self and you can just stare at the wall all day and not make any CO2 while propogating the species. It's all relative and highly subjective, but I suppose I can toss out the following:

- Driving by yourself is a luxury when the ability to carpool or take mass transit are available and cheaper
- Driving a large vehicle is a luxury when you cannot justify it's use
- Driving itself is a luxury over short distances if you're completely able to bike
- Leaving lights and appliances on, throwing things out before their useful lives etc. can be considered luxuries I suppose

I'd never think of pushing any legislation like this, but I've run into a lot of people in this way of life who are watermelon greens: green on the outside, red (communist) on the inside, always willing to tell you what you can't do. It's more honorable, in my opinion, to educate and inspire people to do it on their own rather than cram it down throats.