Transportation is the "iron horse" the industrialization the
developed nations have ridden, using over one quarter of all energy consumption.
85% of this has been fossil fuel based with its share constantly increasing. The
transportation sector accounts for two-thirds ofUnited States
petroleum use --currently 11 million barrels of oil per day, or almost two
gallons per person per day. US cars and light trucks alone consume more oil than
domestic producers can extract. Worldwide figures may be somewhat less
extravagant, but may be extrapolated from these data.
It is estimated that the U.S. has been spilling 31,000 gallons
of oil every day for 20 years into our waterways. A well-tuned modern internal
combustion engine vehicle produces an average of 7 pounds of solid pollutants
from the tailpipe per year. Older vehicles easily double this figure. Air travel
also contributes large amounts of pollution and energy use. In effect, the
current transportation paradigm is intrinsically connected to urban sprawl,
overcrowded cities, and other collateral impacts upon quality of life including
global warming, air quality deterioration, and acid rain.
One of the most effective vehicles for change in the area of
transportation will be restructuring of lifestyle in favor of community centered
living, and a greater quality of life given by:
Working
within the local community, which means spending less time per day in commute,
reduced stress, and lower costs of transportation, in addition to the potential
for more fulfilling human relationships.
Growing of wholesome local foodstuffs for local consumption
will yield large net reductions in global energy use as well as better
nutrition, a community heart center, less need for hauling food stuffs and other
necessities (except in emergencies or special cases).
In addition to searching for ways to make transportation
less necessary, PHISOLAMA will be dedicated to research and development of
vehicles and transportation methods that are pollution free and based upon a
sustainable future in terms of manufacturing and fuel use. Vehicles powered by
currently available but unexploited technology will be vigorously
investigated.
