CAR STORIES:
CARma Conversion
My CARma conversion happened in February '02 when I went from driving a Mercedes 320 SUV to a Toyota Prius hybrid car. As an environmental reporter I had been driving my SUV with some eco-guilt, and as a mother of one child grew to realize I really didn't need such a large vehicle and that in many ways it was NOT a safer transportation choice.
Originally, when we leased the SUV five years ago, I enjoyed feeling "tall" on the road (I'm 5'3"!) but the high gas consumption and bills began to bother me and when I realized that also translated into higher pollution and greenhouse gas contributions my feelings about the vehicle began to shift.
It was about that time that I interviewed Ted Danson, the actor and environmental activist, who raved about improving his personal CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) Standards by driving his new hybrid. My husband surprised me for Valentine's Day by leasing us a Prius and that began my U-turn. After driving a vehicle that averaged 44 MPG around town, more than doubling what I'd been getting in the SUV, and with the nation still absorbing the impact of the September 11th tragedy, I was stunned when in March of 2002, the Senate voted against an amendment to the energy bill that would have brought a modest, 13-year improvement in overall CAFE standards.
With the administration and some lawmakers calling for drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to reduce dependence on oil, while ignoring the technology I was already driving, the blatant hypocrisy and "politics as usual" mentality really angered me. What really galled me is that some Senators had mentioned "SUV-loving Soccer Moms" as a reason to not improve fuel efficiency. Well I'm a Schlepper Mom and they didn't ask me! After connecting with like-minded women, we launched the Don't Be Fueled! Campaign and I'm thrilled that our "gasroots" effort to increase supply and demand for more fuel efficient family cars is finally getting into full gear!
Betsy Rosenberg
Co-Founder, Mothers For Clean and Safe Vehicles
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