Mother Nature should pay attention. As President Bush always quips, you shouldn't mess with Texas. One of the nation's largest generator of greenhouse gases, the Lone Star state is readying the construction of a new 18-lane higway into the city of Houston.

The $2.7 billion project will shuttle the tens of thousands that come from the suburbs each day and contribute to the development of increased sprawl around the city-center. Officials grappled with alternative plans that included public transportation and a 'light-rail' system, but ultimately decided on a highway-only plan due to peoples' preferences. As the article makes mention, there is a little surprise in the outcome from a state that is rife with energy interests and by developers who made their fortunes building homes in far-flung suburbs.

The situation in Texas is similar to other issues around the country as population increases and more cars on the road force officials to create new transportation schemes. The solution, however, to build larger roads and less alternative transportation may in the future end up crippling America, rather than speeding it up. As studies and films, such as The End of Suburbia have revealed, an America dependent on oil for transportation may crumble very quickly with scattered populations far away from food sources or city centers. Encouraging the development and use of public transportation offers a greater choice for mobility and could prevent isolationist chaos. The view in Texas, however, sadly reflects a lack of vision for the future and is consistent with America's 'quick-fix' mentality.

A quote by one individual in the article speaks volumes about the problems we are facing: "There's a sort of arrogance that comes from an oil producing state. You've always been able to drill and produce your way out of a problem. " The question is, what happens when there's nothing left to drill? It won't be surprising if one day, the state's motto is, "Don't mess with nature."

Source: Texas View On Environment Is 18-Lanes Wide.

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