The planet’s changing climate is a relatively new phenomenon and is closely associated with modern society’s dependency on the petroleum economy. How this can be turned around is primarily a lifestyle change: are the goods we consume local in origin and how do they get here, what role do individuals play in determining their personal conduct and energy consumption?

Policy makers, politicians and large corporations are in charge but frequently unable to make the tough choices because of entrenched interests. Choices that many consumers are prepared to make concerning the environment, livable communities and the health of future generations. Organic Transit set about creating the most efficient vehicle possible not as an exercise, but as a consumer product. A product that no car company or even bicycle company would dare produce and yet, is proving to be enormously popular, economical and practical.

Rob is Chief Designer and CEO of Organic Transit, maker of the ELF, the most efficient vehicle on the planet. Built in Durham, NC the ELF is a new category in urban transportation, is solar assisted and gets the equivalent of 1800 mpg. ELF is the first in a line of vehicles that fill the space between a bicycle and a car. Rob has worked for Porsche, BMW, McLaren, AMG and Shimano. With DuPont and GE, he developed new ways of molding plastics and composite materials. He directed the American Solar Cup, the first solar car race in the US. He also served as an advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown, a Creative Director and a documentary producer. He also worked with Anita Roddick, CEO of The Body Shop launching environmental and human rights campaigns.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx