The Mercury calls bullsh*t on local ABC affiliate KATU’s report on Hybrids vs Hummers:
Called “Hummer Vs. Hybrid,” the piece profiled Art Spinella of Oregon-based CNW Marketing Research, who put out a report last year claiming that Hummers (as in the paramilitary SUVs) are better for the environment than hybrid cars. Spinella, who, BTW, makes a living doing market research for automobile companies, allegedly looked at the full cycle of development for both vehicles, including manufacturing, research & development, how far employees had to drive to get to the factory (!), etc. Only problem: CNW won’t divulge its research methodology, so it’s not peer-reviewed, or even verifiable.
Read the Mercury, Blogtown post.
Read and watch the KATU story.
Wonder if a local Hummer retailer is a major KATU advertiser?
Be sure to also visit fuh2.com for more info about the H2.
I think we do have to develop organized, scientifically based methods to informing the public about the costs and benefits of dealing with environmetal issues whether it be transportation, energy, or pollution. For example is the recent banning of fire retardants. I still don’t understand what they actually do in ecosystems like the Columbia River. Are they more or less dangerous than excreted caffine or thyroid medications? Are the retardants themselves from children’s clothing, aircraft construction, or forest fire suppression?
I’m not against taking some action, but it should be something that I can understand.