Mandatory Government Programs: The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) administers the Smog Check program in the state of California. The goal of the Smog Check program is to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles. There are more than 7,000 smog control centers in the state; all of which are privately owned. A typical center has one or two bays and one or two employees.
Role of Technology: The following recent developments have allowed us to dramatically reduce carbon emissions:
For. Advances in battery technology: Historically, electric or hybrid vehicles were impractical due to limitations in battery storage capacity. With recent advances in batteries, electric vehicles have become a viable option. Although it requires a relatively higher upfront cost, it has been shown to lower a vehicle’s total cost of ownership in the long run. Electric vehicles can now be charged to cover longer (and more practical) distances and at a lower cost per mile than gasoline-powered vehicles.
B. Solar Panel Manufacturing: As a result of the advancement in manufacturing, the total cost of ownership of solar panels (and the energy generated from them) is much lower than the status quo of “buying” energy from power plants traditional fossil fuels.
The examples above show just a few of the ways that technological advancement is making cleaner energy sources not only a viable option, but more profitable.
Macroeconomics: I cannot imagine the case of the environment in the United States of the 20th century. The reason the United States was an industrial-based economy, that is, several highly polluting industries supported the growing economy and, at a basic level, provided “food on the table” for most households.
Social Awareness: All the above trends can only get us so far unless there is a social conscience to improve and accelerate the trend. Here we examine the desire and desire of society as a whole to make a change to achieve the goal of a cleaner environment:
For. Organic food (the same we had centuries ago) is preferred to conventional food. The adoption of organic food reduces the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers; elements that pollute the environment.
B. Riding a bike to work is considered “cool”; not so long ago it was a gas guzzling heavy truck. Is it due to lack of affordability? Or is it due to a fundamental cultural change? Knowing some CEOs of companies who cycle to work, I like to think of it as the latter.
Now, to be clear, I am not implying that we are “out of the woods” and that the environment will be nice and clean in the future. As shown in the image above of Beijing, 2/3 of the world’s population does not share the progression we have described. Even in advanced economies, there are factors and factions (remember the BP oil spill; and the oil company lobby to drill in Alaska!) That work against progression. As long as we are optimistic about the future and willing to take the necessary steps, I say, WE CAN make a cleaner environment happen!
Examples of environmental pollution control centers:
http://www.allsmogs.com/
http://a1smogtest.com/
