Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Cars

Are Old-Line Environmentalists Asleep at the Wheel?

Enviro_Defense.jpg

Dr. Bill takes to NYC's streets to tell us about cars and global warming

Once a month, Environmental Defense, the venerable environmental organization, posts an "Ask Dr. Bill" video to their web site to answer common environmental questions. Dr. Bill is Bill Chameides, ED's Chief Scientist.

This month Dr. Bill takes to the streets to answer common questions about cars and global warming. With a Yahoo Autos banner plastered across the screen, Dr. Bill says, "Our message for today is don't stop driving, just drive and use your car smart."

If the video were shot in the parking lot of a gigantic suburban mall it would make more sense. But Dr. Bill is walking around what looks like Gramercy Park, a few blocks from the Union Square subway station, telling us, "cars are a fact of life," "we're all driving cars" and no you do not have to give up your SUV or pick-up truck to do something about climate change (just keep its tires inflated). New York City, of course, is a place where less than half of households own a car, where we're "all" taking the train and walking, and where a much bigger number of trips could easily be made by bicycle if the city helped make that more possible.

To my eye, the video really feels like it is light years behind the current state of debate about New York City's urban environment. Coming on the heels of ED's strong press release urging Mayor Bloomberg to commit to congestion pricing, it also feels like ED's messaging is a bit schizophrenic.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Drink From the Firehose

A key DOT nominee's role in Project 2025, more dubious executive orders, climate change accelerates and more headlines.

February 7, 2025

Friday Video: It’s Been a Week! Take A Breath And Watch People Bike In Utrecht

Take a break, regulate yourself, and get back to fighting for a better future for transportation in America.

February 7, 2025

Commentary: It’s Time for Newsom to Bring it Home on High Speed Rail

Oil-funded, Trumpian Republicans long-ago decided to turn California's HSR project into a political football. If they want to play games, then it's long past time for California Democrats to stop jerking around and play to win.

February 6, 2025

Talking Headway Podcast: 20 is Plenty in Wales

Welsh MP Lee Waters and the University of Sydney's Dr. Jennifer Kent on how Wales passed a national 20 mph speed limit.

February 6, 2025

Who is Trump’s FTA Pick Marc Molinaro — And Will He Kill Congestion Pricing?

If confirmed, Trump FTA pick Marc Molinaro can do a lot to gum up funding for mass transit across the country. Here's a look at his record.

February 6, 2025
See all posts