Hands Across the Sand-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

[Jdarg]

I think NOLA brings up a good point in that each of our choices (like the MPG of our vehicles and the settings of our thermostats and how many bottles of water we drink) are a big part of what is driving the push for drilling here.

Yes, but there are less divisive ways to bring up those points- pointing fingers at people trying to make a difference is unproductive. I think the people that are interested in this issue aren't the same people who are the "eff you I will drive my gaz guzzling behemoth because it's my right no matter what and screw everyone else" crowd.

 

[scooterbug44]

You replied so fast you missed my edit!

 

[Jdarg]

You replied so fast you missed my edit!

Well..I know what you mean, but it doesn't change my reply.

I just hope everyone attends this meeting to gain an understanding of the impact that offshore drilling would have on our tourism economy here (precarious at best) and our natural beauty and way of life. Mistakes have been made in the past, however, that does not mean that future mistakes have to be made!

 

[Teresa]

I believe I read that the time has changed to 1pm, fyi.

hopefully we will get clarification of time closer to the event, but this is what the website currently says:

What To Do On…
February 13, 2010

STEP 1 Go to the beach at 1:00 PM Eastern/12:00 PM Central Time for one hour, rain or shine.

STEP 2 At 1:30 PM EST/12:30 PM CST, hold hands forming lines in the sand against oil drilling in our coastal waters.

STEP 3 Leave only your footprints.

Tips of the Day…

1. Use only approved beach accesses and parking.
2. Create as long a line or as many lines as you wish.
3. Be courteous and respectful to those who disagree with your view.
4. …enjoy yourself, it's the beach!

 

[Andy A]

May I make a suggestion for those needing parking to attend "Hands Across The Sand". We will open our parking lot for people to park and use our access to the beach as our guests for the period of the event. It is Sea Bluff on 30A. I further suggest that private owners or condominium owners who believe in this project do the same thing in their areas. Just a thought since beach access parking is so limited.

 

[Teresa]

Yes, but there are less divisive ways to bring up those points- pointing fingers at people trying to make a difference is unproductive. I think the people that are interested in this issue aren't the same people who are the "eff you I will drive my gaz guzzling behemoth because it's my right no matter what and screw everyone else" crowd.

very good points jdarg. I would like to add that more and more people in our community are very much concerned about their next car being more fuel efficient. I know of very few who do not share that concern who have already made the switch to a more efficient vehicle, or who plan to as soon as feasible.

yes, we do have many visitors from the big cities who drive their huge family SUVs down - I mean, we can barely maneuver around them in the little roads in Seaside, etc. and yes - many locals still drive big SUVs and/or beach trucks. STILL, most of us make every effort to conserve, and will continue to do so whenever and however we can. everyone is in this thing together. we all have to watch our consumption for several reasons - including environmental and financial. We have a need to protect our environment as well as our wallets.

further, I have seen at least a dozen personal friends, not to mention a ton of family members in other cities, turn in their gas hogs for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles - over the last several years! my aunt drives a smart car and its really neat. not sure if I want one that small - but maybe - we kind of have to revise our thinking when it comes to transportation modes, vehicles, etc. and we are doing so.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Someone else mentioned it, but oil is the source for most things plastic. I wonder how many people understand that oil is used to make all of the plastic in their homes. Some people will burn more oil in their cars, while other people will jack up their heater in the winter, and blast the a/c on high during the summer, but maybe drive a Prius to balance out their impact. The observation of one's type of auto doesn't tell us much about people's total impact.

 

[robertsondavies]

I've thought about this electric vehicle thing a bit, and since most of that electric power comes from coal,

SJ, you're right about Florida and it is a complex issue that needs to be fully considered, and studied carefully, etc. Probably not too complex to do a carbon or Co2 calculation based on a mile driven in an LSV vs. a typical SUV, and then back out the 30% of Florida electricity that is coal fired (FLORIDA IS AWFUL in this regard, damn near leads the nation). Place your bets. My bet is that the Co2 and Carbon footprint is damn incredibly (3x) better with an LSV vs. an average vehicle in Walton County, controlling for the carbon output of the average KW of Florida electricity. Harder to control for is the issue of having a 2nd LSV, essentially for fun, and eventually to throw away (or recycle?), and that's what makes me almost neutral on the whole issue - but not quite.
In practical terms, you're absolutely right that what we all REALLY need are basically 100 Horsepower vehicles, give or take 20%. Not 270 horsepower Accords, supplemented by a coal fired LSV.


If I come across any evidence or studies of the carbon output per passenger mile of an LSV, vs. average normally aspirated cars/truck/suvs, I'll share with the group. Likewise if anyone sees that, please share with me, I'd like to learn rather than guess.

 

[robertsondavies]

Someone else mentioned it, but oil is the source for most things plastic. I wonder how many people understand that oil is used to make all of the plastic in their homes. Some people will burn more oil in their cars, while other people will jack up their heater in the winter, and blast the a/c on high during the summer, but maybe drive a Prius to balance out their impact. The observation of one's type of auto doesn't tell us much about people's total impact.

Tru Dat.

 

[Jdarg]

SJ, you're right about Florida and it is a complex issue that needs to be fully considered, and studied carefully, etc. Probably not too complex to do a carbon or Co2 calculation based on a mile driven in an LSV vs. a typical SUV, and then back out the 30% of Florida electricity that is coal fired (FLORIDA IS AWFUL in this regard, damn near leads the nation). Place your bets. My bet is that the Co2 and Carbon footprint is damn incredibly (3x) better with an LSV vs. an average vehicle in Walton County, controlling for the carbon output of the average KW of Florida electricity. Harder to control for is the issue of having a 2nd LSV, essentially for fun, and eventually to throw away (or recycle?), and that's what makes me almost neutral on the whole issue - but not quite.
In practical terms, you're absolutely right that what we all REALLY need are basically 100 Horsepower vehicles, give or take 20%. Not 270 horsepower Accords, supplemented by a coal fired LSV.


If I come across any evidence or studies of the carbon output per passenger mile of an LSV, vs. average normally aspirated cars/truck/suvs, I'll share with the group. Likewise if anyone sees that, please share with me, I'd like to learn rather than guess.

I get that the LSVs are maybe better for the environment, but I oppose them on safety and traffic issue reasons, so for this argument, I am not considering them.