We may want to be like Brazil when it comes to being self sufficient, but the U.S. is unlikely to ever make the hard choices necessary. Brazil decided about 30 years ago that it didn't want to be beholden to foreign countries' fossil fuels and through strong governmental control, switched most of their vehicles to burn on alcohol or combinations of gasoline and ethanol. Now it is basically energy independent, so the government is free of the Middle East political turmoil.

The Brazilian auto market features many of the same brands (Ford, GM, VW etc.) that are popular here, but these companies produce a wider variety of flex fuel and fuel efficient vehicles in Brazil, such as the new Mitsubishi Pajero TR4 Flex four-wheel drive utility vehicle.

Despite decades of being under the thumb of OPEC (and filling the skies with greenhouse gases), the U.S. is taking baby steps towards energy independence and sustainable transportation, but without some sacrifice, energy independence is a pipe dream.

Our political system doesn't allow for the government to dictate to free markets as was possible in Brazil, so a wholesale shift to renewable fuels is unlikely unless it becomes significantly cheaper than fossil fuels. Also, American driving habits, preferences in vehicles, and disdain for public transit makes the amount of fuel from agriculture resources beyond the reach of our land capabilities.

We love big cars and driving whenever we want. Therefore, projections for ethanol and biodiesel production say that we will always need fossil fuels as a strong part of the energy mix. This is a poor argument for inaction on renewable fuels -- just because you can't perform your own surgery doesn't mean you shouldn't stop the bleeding.

The slow move towards sustainable transportation needs to include equal components of conservation as well as energy efficiency improvements. Looking to technology and renewable alternatives won't cut it; our society has to change its thinking.