From my conversations with friends, colleagues, and professionals in the energy and environmental sectors, I sense a shared desire for a "cleaner" world—one with less pollution that secures humanity's future.
Yet, this widely held sentiment often clashes—albeit subtly—with the actual choices individuals make in their daily lives.
A prime example is the choice of vehicle. Those with the means typically opt for models that are more sophisticated, spacious, and comfortable.
An SUV - for example - weighs roughly twice as much as a "small" car. In other words, the "environmental cost" differs vastly—from manufacturing through to daily use.
However, I have never heard of anyone choosing a "small" car (even one fully equipped with desired luxuries) over a "large" one.
Until this environmental issue is truly internalized, it is hard to imagine the world making the necessary decision to diligently pursue a new—and urgently needed—environmental standard.