Rudd gets it, U.S. "environmentalists" not permitted

Public transit is the quickest and most effective way to reduce the energy waste and carbon emissions of the auto and sprawl. But in the U.S., the carbon-auto lobby is so powerful that even established "environmental" groups have to observe a blackout on serious discussion of mass public transportation. If you don't believe this, search their websites. Apparently the influence of the carbon-auto industry is not as strong in Australia -- This from the heraldsun.com:

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has hinted at a new frontier for tackling climate change: a national overhaul of public transport.
The introduction of emissions trading is dominating the climate change debate, with a major report to be handed down by government adviser Ross Garnaut on Friday.
But Mr Rudd said he also had other fish to fry on global warming policy.
He said it was "time to act" on public transport, and signalled the federal government would get involved."
Ask yourself this question, how much do people waste each week sitting in unnecessary traffic queues?" he said."
And how much ... do they put into the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions because we have yet to evolve a large, long-term investment into urban public transport systems, with the national government playing its role as well?
"I think it is time to act."

[see also the new blog: Fare-Free Australia]