Amount Quote by R. Buckminster Fuller
“In the United States, throughout all twenty-four hours of every day of the year - year after year - we have an average of two million automobiles standing in front of red lights with their engines going, the energy for which amounts to that generated by the full of efforts of 200 million horses being completley wasted as they jump up and down going nowhere.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Environmental Commentary, 1970s
The quote highlights massive wasteful fuel consumption by id id idle at traffic lights, equating it to the effort of 200 million horses.
In simple terms: Cars waste fuel while idling at lights.
Key Takeaway
Reduce idling to conserve energy.
Themes
environment
energy waste
transportation
efficiency
policy
Mood
concerned
urgent
analytical
Type
observational
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- commuting
- city traffic
- policy making
- environmental advocacy
Key Concepts
resource consumption
externalities
urban planning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cities redesign traffic flow to cut idling?
- What incentives encourage drivers to turn off engines?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may exaggerate for rhetorical effect, and actual waste varies by location and technology.
