Solving the energy crisis using the KISS method: Keep it Simple!

In their book, "In Search Of Excellence," by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman had as an example an effective method used by companies to increase their efficiency: Don't invest in new unproven expensive technology, but improve on an existing methods. To solve our energy crisis it is often suggested that we make great changes. The hybrid saves gas, but it also has the biggest carbon foot print of all to manufacture. Sure ethanol is a bio fuel. However it takes more energy to make then it produces, has a huge carbon footprint and increases the price of food. But starting right now you can easily improve the efficiency of your current vehicle by 10%! Howis this possible? Just turn off the engine while waiting for a red light to change. Do this and your gas millage will improve by 10%! Then we could require all new cars to have a device on them that will shut off the engine after idling for 10 seconds. Step on the gas and the engine will start. Then comes a device for the aftermarket. As a bonus you can quibble all you want over what to do about the air conditioning when the engine is off. Just remeber doing this will slightly lower the temperature of the planet!

Ever think about how much of global warming is due to the heat produced by automobile engines? Engines run at their least efficiency when idling. How much heat is produced at the average intersection during rush hour? In the early '70's, I was a student at the School of Environment & Planning, at was then called California State College, Sonoma, in the North San Francisco Bay area. One day we were looking at an aerial photo of Santa Rosa covered by fog. And there was a narrow line running right up the center of the photo. What was it? It was Highway 101 peeking through the fog! The heat from the traffic was burning through the fog!

Take action starting tomorrow shut off you car's engine at stop lights. Never let it idle! Just think what it would do the price of gasoline if we cut our demand 10% tomorrow!