[Kosh]

except the US as a whole

Given all the news coverage about the rise of the Chinese economy, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world’s most populous country is hogging all the world’s resources, while the developed nations are fighting for scraps.

But, at least with transportation fuel, you’d be wrong. California alone uses more gasoline than any country in the world (except the US as a whole, of course). That means California’s 20 billion gallon gasoline and diesel habit is greater than China’s! (Or Russia’s. Or India’s. Or Brazil’s. Or Germany’s.)

Now, considering that China is now the largest car market in the world and uses almost as much gas as California, what does that say about American fuel efficiency?

[Blue Lion]

I thought it had to do with America being a driving culture and almost everyone in California would have a car or two as opposed to China.

And quite frankly, from the article, China could have already beaten California in that amount anyways.

[Snail]

A lot can change in 1 year, especially in China (where cities grow faster than weeds)

[BloodEagle]

Problem: California uses too much gasoline. Solution: Destroy California.

[Thaeris]

I recommend stoning (rocks... no, not those rocks... think Old Testament). Suitable punishment for Califonication, if you will...

-Thaeris

[karajorma]

Problem: California uses too much gasoline. Solution: Destroy California.

No need to destroy it, we can always wait for the big one.

[Rodo]

disturbing.... well at least you can now say that you also destroyed the environment, not only mid-eastern countries!

[SpardaSon21]

Don't destroy California, I live there.  Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

[swashmebuckle]

Yes! We're #1!

[Galemp]

Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

[High Max]

Well it does have a high crime rate so by destroying it, it would really take a bite out of crime. Maybe people there care too much about luxary and waste fuel. So it isn't just food in this country that people indulge in too much on average, it is everything. It is sad and disturbing that people are like that so much around here on average.  

[Bob-san]

Well considering that California is both larger and more populated than most industrialized countries...

[Polpolion]

...what does that say about American fuel efficiency?

Almost nothing. California != The United States of America. California = One of the fifty states of the United States of America.

Did you somehow miss two threads that berated generalizations in recent weeks?

[FUBAR-BDHR]

I think it means China hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing gridlock on highways yet.

Seriously I wonder how much of that is wasted sitting in traffic. 

[Blue Lion]

Don't destroy California, I live there.  Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

What an evil looking place

(from my trip last year)

[Mongoose]

Don't destroy California, I live there.  Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

Isn't that, y'know, the actually tolerable part of the state?

[SpardaSon21]

Not where I'm from.

[Blue Lion]

San Francisco had some of the nicest people I've met on my travels around.

[swashmebuckle]

Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

Welcome to Northern California: irrationally disdained since 1849

[Goober5000]

Well, if you must destroy part of California, destroy everything north of Pismo Beach.  That gets rid of both San Francisco and Sacramento.

I told you not to move there.