I know almost nothing about cars, so I’m maybe the last person who should be writing this post. I did a little reading and found out that basically, with an SUV (a non-eco-friendly one) you’re burning more gas and creating more emissions than with some other cars. But an SUV is not the only bad car. Pick-up trucks, for example are just as bad. SUVs are not an earth-friendly choice, but they’re also not worse than some other things we do.

Also, if you have an SUV because you feel it’s the only car that fits your family, something else to consider is how much you drive. If you’re driving a more earth friendly car, but one that still uses gas, and you drive A LOT vs. driving an SUV maybe three short times a week, and walk other places, than this specific SUV is more eco-friendly than the other car. It’s not just the car, but your habits with your car that matter.

Would I get one. Hmmm, no. I’d rather have a more eco-friendly option and still drive less. Also, I don’t think they’re safe, but that has less to do with being safe for the planet and more to do with crashes.

I can sum up SUVs some, but since cars are so not my area of green expertise, I found you some links.

SUVs = bad:

GM SUV spoofed by environmentalists

The Anti SUV Portal

Environmental vanity plates don’t stop SUV pollution

SUVs = not so bad as we think, or at least only as bad as other stuff:

Some surprisingly clean facts about SUV’s

Computer servers ‘as bad’ for climate as SUVs

Eco-options:

Hilary over at Eco Friendly Driver, has a ton of posts about greener SUVs.

Since someone obviously added this to the green sins poll – you tell me; if you have an SUV, how come? Do you think it’s a sin and if so, why not simply drive another car?

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

We act like we have unlimited oil reserves, but some research shows that it took nature over 250 million years to make the oil that we’ll likely use up within the next 100 years. I say conserve now. Better yet buy a more fuel efficient car, better even, buy a car that doesn’t run on gas. To learn about greener car options visit Eco Friendly Driver.

Learn more about slow driving benefits.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family