Is Environmentalism Bad For The Economy?

"American public planning has also discouraged conservation. For example, people might prefer taking public transportation in Los Angeles. But if there are no convenient subway or bus lines, what choice do they have but to drive? Similarly, people may feel embarrassed about driving gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles, but if the government is afraid of imposing more stringent fuel economy standards on them, or placing higher taxes on gas (which is far cheaper here than in any European country), why scold their owners? In fact, a Transportation Department study made public late last week found that the average gas mileage of new vehicles in the 2001 model year had slipped back to the level of 1999, which was the lowest since 1980."