Playing with the big boys

Thursday, March 20, 2008

As you know, I was invited by our friends at GM to attend the New York International Auto Show (my husband came along as my "car consultant). As part of our trip, we were given the opportunity to meet with several bigwigs at GM, including Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

During this last event, I asked Mr. Lutz about a problem that we parents have – we want to be more environmentally responsible, but often can’t afford to pay to add green fuel options to the larger vehicles we need to cart kids, groceries and assorted other crap. His response was to talk about a group of scientists who recently questioned whether or not global warming was real, and that the earth was in fact going to save itself.

I found out last night that a reporter at the event described the encounter between me (a “breeder who wants to save the planet”) and Mr. Lutz this way…

Don't worry about saving the planet," Lutz tut-tutted. "Trust me: the planet is going to save itself." "I didn't want to sound like a tree-hugger," the all-expenses paid blogger demurred. "Then don't sound like one," a bellicose Lutz replied.

As much as I may not like being described as a “breeder” (what am I, a brood cow?) and I’ve never been considered demure, I have to admit that the reporter has a point. Given conventional wisdom about global warming, it was a pretty stupid thing for him to say and I should have jumped on Mr. Lutz for his views on global warming.

That’s what a “real” reporter would have done, right?

But I didn’t confront Bob, not because GM paid for my trip to NYC (which they did) but because I am not an expert on the environment. I don’t know anything about this questionable view on global warming or the science behind it. If anything, I think I’m like most parents, trying to do the best I can to be more environmentally responsible even when my very small actions make me feel like I’m yelling into a gale force wind.

One thing is for sure – I’m playing with the big boys now. And they don’t always play nice.

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Comments

Don't know who was the bigger jerk, Lutz or the reporter! Breeder my $%#$! What Lutz said is reprehensible...But I don't blame you for not knowing what to say in the moment. Ugh.

Posted by: adenacb | March 20, 2008 09:59 AM

Apparently Mr. Lutz, GM's Vice Chairman for Global Product Development, has been calling global warming a crock of sh*t for a while now:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2237297620080222?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&rpc=22&sp=true

This guy sorely needs some media training. His response to you was just plain rude (and don't get me started on the reporter calling you a "breeder"). AAGH!!

Posted by: HilBux | March 20, 2008 11:46 AM

I definitely wish I could have been more "with it" during the conversation. And let's face it, who likes to witness when someone is putting their foot in their mouth?

I think I'm the one that also needs some media training! :)

Posted by: Kristin - Manic Mommies | March 20, 2008 12:19 PM

Kristin, You shouldn't beat yourself up about this--you had no reason to expect that you'd need to be fully versed in the facts and theories about glbal warming and energy use just to ask your question. And the reporter's editorializing is completely condescending and sexist--I highly doubt your husband would have been referred to as a breeder. Also, your question was very valid--I have three big sons, my husband coaches their baseball teams, and I am often lugging all their equipment and several teammates to games in distant towns, so frankly, I need a BIG car! I do feel guilty about it though because of the gas guzzling, from a global warming standpoint and with respect to our dependence on foreign oil. But what's a girl to do???!!!!

Posted by: osmp | March 20, 2008 12:51 PM

Your desire to lower your carbon footprint is commendable, but I take exception with this comment: "...the larger vehicles we need to cart kids, groceries and assorted other crap."

You don't "need" a large SUV or minivan. I am 31 years old and have a 36-year old brother. Our parents seemed to do just fine raising us in the following automobiles: 1967 Rambler, 1975 Valiant, 1982 Chevette, 1985 Cavalier, 1989 Corsica.

None of these cars came even close to approaching the size of the modern vehicles that parents drive around. We even managed to take a road trip from New Jersey to Florida twice in the 1985 Cavalier.

Minivans and SUVs are conveniences, not necessities.

Posted by: Dan | March 20, 2008 02:32 PM

"Trust me: the planet is going to save itself."
Response:
Trust you huh? Remind me... how many billions of dollars did the company you're leading lose last year?

To address your question which he so kindly diverted... the answer isn't in getting a more fuel efficient new car, particularly hybrids. The battery technology the hybrids run on relies on extremely environmentally unfriendly production processes.
The answer is one people don't like to hear. Self-sacrifice. Drive less. Walk more. Ride your bicycle. Live in an area with higher population density so you're able to have shorter walks or drives to the services you need.

Everyone wants to be more environmentally friendly. Very few want to make any sort of sacrifice because of it and until that changes, our environmental problems won't.

Posted by: Chaser Bren | March 20, 2008 05:14 PM

It's hard to know what to believe these days. Glenn Beck from the Headline News Show "The Glenn Beck Show" gets you thinking in his "An Inconvenient Book". He is ultra-conservative, but some of his ideas do get you thinking! Remember the whole global freezing hysteria a few decades ago?

Honestly, how is a mom supposed to keep up with all of these theories??? Don't beat yourself up too much - there are only 24 hours in a day.

Posted by: groovymonkey | March 21, 2008 12:25 PM

Hi Kristen, I say we embrace the "breeder" comment and turn the positive into a negative. Something like a T-shirt that says, I"'m a Breeder Babe".

I do kind of agree that you may not always need the biggest car available, but my parents bordered on insane with trying to make a small car work (3 kids in a 1984 Corolla from Oho-Florida, no air conditioning). Maybe Mr. Lutz should consider the demands that customers like you are making instead of paternalistically telling you what to think!

Posted by: Rachel | March 23, 2008 12:10 PM

Groovy Monkey makes an interesting point, logic can be used to back up almost any opinion and present a strong case. Research can be, and has been in the past, manipulated, distorted and suppressed. Global warming MIGHT be natural.
When confronted with situations like that, I find it's best to resort to common sense. Even if the icecaps don't melt, is the smog that rolls around heavily congested areas a good thing? Is polluting our drinking water a good thing? Is cutting down all the trees and paving our landscape with nothing but asphalt and kentucky bluegrass a good thing? Is leaving our mess for future generations to clean up a good thing?

Posted by: Chaser Bren | March 26, 2008 01:01 AM

Playing with the big boys

Thursday, March 20, 2008

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