Press ‘Green’ for Go
July 30th, 2007 by Anindita Sengupta
Green is the new buzzword. The latest news on this front is that Japan has introduced the world’s first hybrid train. As the article points out, trains are a relatively small contributor to global warming but the popularity of hybrid cars, such as Toyota Motor Corp.’s best-selling Prius, is helping to boost interest in hybrid trains.
A hybrid car typically features a small fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive. It also has a host of other features help conserve energy such as periodic engine shut off, advanced aerodynamics and low-rolling resistance tires. The emissions are cleaner, which means less pollution.
The hybrid train will achieve similar things. Of course, cost and scalability are big factors here and one train by itself is unlikely to have any large or long-term impact on the environment.
Meanwhile, here is a country willing to sacrifice significant amounts of money to protect the environment. The Tibet Autonomous Region has vowed to protect its glaciers, wetlands and grasslands even if it means compromising on the growth of major industries such as tourism, manufacturing and mining.
And this is just one of the things we can expect if we don’t clean up our act–and fast! An architect with a Bangkok firm has said that that in about ten years, the primary form of transport in the city may well be the boat.
Going green has many repercussions especially for international travel. There is increasing emphasis on eco-friendly tourism and growing concern about the effects of air travel to far-flung, exotic spots. With airline companies working on being more earth-friendly, hopefully there will be a time soon when our urge to see the world and our need to save it will not be at odds with each other.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:19 am
I did a report on electric cars over 10 years ago in college. It’s about time they get serious with this technology. I think it would alleviate the growing energy crises. (and of course good for the environment too :))