Freedom From Oil is a book that does what it says on the tin. It is not trying to find a solution for global warming, it is not trying to cause an outbreak of world peace; it is simply showing how the USA can, from an administrative point of view, free itself from the risk of oil shortages. As it happens, there are a number of side effects – many of them good, some of them not so – that result from such a brief.

Freedom From Oil has been well researched and is clearly a labour of love. The book is an extremely useful resource for anyone wishing to understand the precarious and potentially lethal oil usage and capacity issues that we are facing, particularly from the point of view of a resident of the USA.

The use of memo form is refreshing and makes an otherwise complex subject easier to digest, at least practically, if not metaphorically. However, although David Sandalow is an experienced political player and clearly well read in the subject of oil policy, the book suffers from some of the same deficiencies that US politics in general does; for instance, the desire to seek a middle ground rather than address some of the key problems head-on, and perhaps a little too much admiration for technological solutions.

For instance, David says that the highest priority to ending oil dependence is putting millions of plug-in hybrids on the road; it is not. Far more effective in ending oil dependence than plug-in hybrids – even ignoring the behavioural changes – is making the transportation system and urban infrastructure less conducive to car travel; cycle lanes, sidewalks, local and community services, high quality transit systems and, more specifically, properly subsidised rail, coach and bus travel. This is entirely missing from the book.

There is also, in my opinion, a serious miscalculation in the book. David refers to an oft-quoted figure of 20% for internal combustion engine thermal efficiency, therefore making a case for even coal-fired power stations being a good electricity source for PIHs. Firstly, the 20% is more like 30% at the most fuel efficient end of the vehicle market. Secondly, the energy efficiency from coal to wheel is only about 25%, in the best case; typically this is about 20% – less than the efficiency of a typical European car. Plug in hybrids will not save the world, or even the USA.

That said, it is extremely refreshing to see a consistent message regarding the dangers of climate change, and how these should always be taken into account when making policy decisions – not something we have seen much of in the current administration. This alone makes the author something of a pioneer, and it is hoped that David can continue to take this approach in all of his dealings, both as author and advisor.

Freedom From Oil is available now, just about everywhere.

Keith Farnish
www.theearthblog.org
www.reduce3.com
And proud member of The Sietch