Of the 26.7 quads of energy going into transportation, barely a fifth of it is doing useful stuff, the rest is wasted. The idea of pushing a ton of metal to move 200 pounds of flesh is just insanely inefficient. This doesn't even account for the energy used in maintaining the infrastructure and building the roads; It is an inherently stupid way to design a transportation system. So what can we do:
1. Embrace urbanism.
The fact is, people are getting in their cars to go from place to place, not drive in circles for fun. We have to make it possible to survive without the car, and that means greater density and local shopping. It does NOT mean everyone has to live in New York or London or Mumbai or Shanghai and in high rise buildings; many of our small towns and cities are eminently walkable.2. Do everything possible to promote walking, bikes, electric bikes and (small) electric cars, mopeds, buses, light rail, subways, anything that moves more human and less iron.
Gasoline is problem 1 and Electricity is problem 2. Anything that moves more human per unit of energy is an improvement. Anything that reduces the distance human has to move, such as working from home, promoting main streets and supporting local business, is also a big help.Move to cities with rail and canals and water and hydro power and moderate climates that don't need as much air conditioning, the major electrical draw.
Finally, less really is more. Smaller (electric cars powered by sustainable energy), smaller houses on smaller lots, apartments instead of detached houses; smaller fridges and washing machines; you can only increase efficiency so much; at some point we have to downsize our expectations.
