One of the things I have noticed about this thread is the modern tendancy not to accept responsibilty for our own actions. We tend to blame, the auto companies, big oil, government or other countries for this mess. The bottom line is that the problem is US. As individuls we are not prepared to admit to a lifestyle that is hugely damaging to the planet and all of the people on it.
We want someone else to take care of the problem and that is not going to happen . There may be, in the opinion of some, too may people on the planet. However, there are also too many stupid frivolities, leaf blowers, gas mowers, throwaya appliances, junk mail (I get about two pounds a week of it) Rv's, oversize autos and so on. Nobody wants to part with this stuff and until we do part with it..we need to stop bitching about what others aren't doing and take a long hard look at how selfish we all really are .