As the Economy Plummets, So Do U.S. Driving Miles

For all those climate change activists celebrating (rightfully, in our view) the steep gas price increase as a means of forcing U.S. drivers to stop guzzling fossil fuels, here's more good news: As the Climate Progress blog notes, Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles, or 3.6 percent less, in July 2008 than July 2007, putting 2008 on track to hit the largest dip in vehicle-driven miles since 1983. Which, from a glass-half-full perspective, means that all those potential fuel emissions are staying out of the air ... or, from a glass-half-empty view, that we're careening towards the end of civilization as we know it. Which in and of itself would probably be good for the Earth—if not so good for us. Image: iStockphoto