Long ago public elected officials made a deal with automobile manufacturers allowing the automobile to become the primary mode of transportation in North America. Massive road projects have remained a constant since the end of WWII, always building and maintaining new and existing roads with pavement promised to last at least 5 years, but often surviving our region’s 4 seasons in 2-3 years. The compact has been clear, with automotive firms creating and maintaining well-paying jobs, and the public constantly paying for road repair. No innovation, no idea about future trends, or the greening of our planet involved.
North American know-how in action, with the idea that “if it’s not broken, why fix it”. Even with the advent of electric vehicles, the roadways remain unchanged.
Well in France their elected officials have been looking to the future, by banning short-haul domestic flights in a bid to boost rail travel, the only REAL Green alternative to the automobile. CO2 admissions are often nil when modern railways exist, and The EU has been doing so for over a hundred years. The decision to concentrate on rail traffic makes incredible sense in the EU, with railway routes everywhere, throughout their transnational transportation system. The French decision puts an end to many domestic flights within France. Laurent Donceel, interim head of industry group Airlines for Europe said “This move should support real and significant solutions to airline emissions, rather than symbolic bans”.
Some European MPs hope this move will expand to routes across the continent, stressing high-speed rail as a solution to intercontinental travel. French Politicians are also debating how private jets affect the atmosphere with their emissions. Stressing that flights go higher into the atmosphere where emissions can disperse freely and away from lower altitudes and the populations below.
Canadian and American public officials need to work towards an emission-free environment, pushing automobiles out of priority zones, and placing true green transportation in its place. Building extensive railway routes, and introducing high-speed rail travel will soften the blow of green emission projections and regulations. Connecting our communities while providing on-time high-speed service. Imagine fewer roads, more green space, and more time for yourself on a train, instead of a vehicle stuck in traffic to and from your destinations. A return to more costly air travel, while offering far less costly high-speed rail alternatives. Connecting the railway systems of Canada, America, and Mexico, allowing someone from Toronto to travel to Cancun by rail with a number of stops on the way. No more lineups at the airport, with prompt border passage between nations.
Our public officials need to think outside of the box, put less trust in the Corporate world and their planned intentions, and enable pre-existing technology to be applied immediately. Let the French show us the way. High-speed rail, skyway rail in our cities(sounds like a Simpsons episode eh). Sometimes our needs show us the proper way. Cleaner air, more flexible green transportation. Oh, Yah 🙂
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
