Reduction of Electricity or Cars as an Environmental Protection Intervention Reduction of Electricity Consumption or Automobile Usage as an Effective Environmental Protection Intervention

In choosing between the two alternatives of an initiative to reduce electricity consumption or one designed to curb automobile usage, the choice is tough but there is only one viable alternative: Americans love their cars, but they need their electricity more. The rationale for this decision is outlined below.

Americans are becoming increasingly reliant on electricity to support their lifestyles and livelihoods (Schurr 1990).

Electricity provides numerous advantages over virtually all other types of available energy sources. With wires, electricity can be provided anywhere...

This level of precision far exceeds that which is possible when energy is transferred mechanically (e.g., by the historic steam-based rotating shaft system) or when energy is transferred as heat (Schurr 1990).
Electricity is ready for use on demand: "Think cold beer and the Web" (Tomain 2002:435).

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Employment Patterns are Changing and More People are "Telecommuting."

With more people working from their homes, there will be less demand than previously for commutes between home and work, as well as an increased demand for…