From: Lee Schipper [mailto:schipper@...]

This is a VERY important analysis of one of the latest fake science scams --
George Will used it in an op ed last month, I was incensed...and it shows
how much BS is going around and how far those opposed to action on energy,
climate, or envirionment will stoop to plead their cases

lee

B>>> "Peter H. Gleick" <pgleick@...> 5/22/2007 3:26:11 PM >>>
Dear All,

We are releasing today a new case study on the misuse of science in
public policy. In this case, we've reviewed a recent report called
"Dust to Dust" that claims (to great media interest) that the Hummer
and other large SUVs use less lifetime energy than the Prius (and
many other efficient small cars). This report turns out to be, at
best, misleading, and almost certainly wrong.

This new case study is part of the Pacific Institute's Integrity of
Science Initiative, supported by the Open Society Institute and the
Packard Foundation. Details below.

Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Gleick
President, Pacific Institute
www.pacinst.org
www.integrityofscience.org



Pacific Institute Media Release, May 22, 2007

Is the Hummer really Greener than the Prius? No.
"Dust to Dust" Report Mislead the Media and Public with Bad Science
Contact:
Peter Gleick, President (510) 251-1600 x105
Ian Hart, Communications Director (510) 251-1600 x106 (e-mail
currently unavailable)

[]



(OAKLAND, Calif.) The CNW Marketing Research, Inc.'s 2007 "Dust to
Dust: The Energy Cost of New Vehicles From Concept to Disposal"
caught the interest of the media and the public with its claim that a
Hummer H3 SUV has a lower life-cycle energy cost than a Toyota Prius
hybrid. Closer inspection by the Pacific Institute, a nonpartisan
think-tank, suggests that the report's conclusions rely on faulty
methods of analysis, untenable assumptions, selective use and
presentation of data, and a complete lack of peer review. Re-analysis
yields results that are often opposite of CNW's conclusions.

The most cursory look at CNW's assumptions reveals serious biases and
flaws. For instance, the average Hummer H1 is assumed to travel
379,000 miles over a 35-year lifetime, while the average Prius is
assumed to last only 109,000 miles over less than 12 years. These
assumptions are selective and unsupported, and they distort the
report's findings. Changing just the total lifetime mileage
assumption reverses the conclusions: the Prius (and comparable
automobiles) consume far less energy over their lifetimes than larger
vehicles, especially the largest SUVs like Hummers.

The Institute calls on CNW to release its full report, including
methods, assumptions, and data. Until "Dust to Dust" can be
substantiated, the public and policymakers should ignore its
conclusions. Unfortunately, "Dust to Dust" has already distorted the
public debate.

Download the Pacific Institute's seven page re-analysis of "Dust to
Dust" (PDF) at
<http://www.pacinst.org/topics/integrity_of_science/case_studies/hummer_vs_p
rius.pdf>http://www.pacinst.org/topics/integrity_of_science/case_studies/hum
mer_vs_prius.pdf


Founded in 1987 and based in Oakland, California the Pacific
Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think-tank studying issues
at the intersection of development, environment, and security. The
Institute's Integrity of Science Initiative responds to and counters
the assault on science and scientific integrity in the public policy
arena. <http://www.pacinst.org/>www.pacinst.org

###


Lee Schipper
Director of Research
EMBARQ, the WRI Center
for Sustainable Transport
10 G St. NE
Washington DC, 20002
+1202 729 7735
FAX +1202 7297775
www.embarq.wri.org