Wasted Oil, By Design

This episode of public radio program 99% Invisible looks at oil, and how the way people move from work to home has been seemingly designed to waste fuel.

1 minute read

December 1, 2010, 8:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


Author Lisa Margonelli discusses how much of our transportation system is designed to waste fuel, the subject of her new book, "Oil on The Brain".

"Almost everything in modern life is designed to waste energy. The biggest culprit is how we get to and from work. Our houses are too far from our job, so we have to drive a lot. All those cars on the road cause traffic jams that waste fuel. Then there are the traffic lights, toll booths, and other obstacles that waste the inertia you build up while driving. It's all possible because the whole system evolved on a false premise that petroleum is cheap and plentiful and will be that way forever."

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 in 99% Invisible

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