Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10, are expensive to set up). In 2009 Exxon took its first step in this direc-
tion, teaming up with gene scientist Craig Ventner to invest in biofuels
from algae.
The public, the politicos and the
celebs
Public figures go green
Celebrities set trends. But while that's true of clothes and harstyles, when
it comes to energy use and climate change, public figures - be they film
stars as well as politicians and businessmen - tend to be fashion followers
rather than fashion leaders. Going green now forms part of many public
figures' PR strategy. But is this so-called “greenwash” such a bad thing?
Politicians
Arnold Schwarzenegger is probably America's most colourful convert
to green politics, having had a big impact in both image and substance.
His change of tack is famously wrapped up with the fate of the Hummer,
America's bulkiest sports and utility vehicle (SUV), which seems almost
designed to be as boxy, and therefore as unaerodynamic and fuel-ineffi-
cient as possible. In 1992, the year after Schwarzenegger's biggest box-
office success with Terminator II : Judgement Day, the AM General car
company brought out a civilian version of the HumVee all-terrain vehicle
it was making for the US military. Schwarzenegger was virtually the first
customer, and he went on to buy several versions of the vehicle, which
seemed to suit his image to a tee.
His patronage helped the Hummer become a commercial success,
despite its inability to manage more than ten miles to the gallon in
the city, and in 1998 AM General sold the brand to General Motors.
Eventually sales were hit by the 2008-09 recession, and in June 2009
GM, as part of its bankruptcy deal, announced it would discontinue the
Hummer. One final irony was that a Chinese company agreed to buy the
Hummer brand and manufacturing equipment, but Beijing blocked the
deal on environmental grounds.
By this time, however, Schwarzenegger had had a Pauline conversion
on the road to Sacramento (the state capital of California) and become
one of the greenest governors that California has ever had. He con-
 
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