A bit like the unexplained eccentricities all cars and bikes have at certain times – in most cases they don’t point to anything more than minor blips. The truth is always found in the facts, and the facts currently point towards a heavy meltdown in the Polar areas, as well as steady reduction in ice and snow in mountains elsewhere. Remember, these are not straight-line events, where ‘x’ percent in the last ‘y’ years points to a simple mathematical result – there are a vast number of variables, especially with what is known as the ‘tipping point.’

So, what’s a tipping point? Again, simple explanation – imagine a bike which is weaving through traffic. Most riders will manage a few degrees of tilt in either direction. Good riders will manage 30 to 45 degrees. But at some point, all will simply fall down, and usually very suddenly too – without hope of recovery. That’s one way of explaining it. Another way of explaining it is to take a closer look at the way the ice melts in your glass of fine grain juice, from start to finish. Have you ever noticed how rapidly it goes towards the end? The liquid gets cooler, and the ice melts suddenly towards the end, or even crumbles into small bits.

Something similar is happening in the Polar regions, where shippie friends of mine are currently earning big bucks and driving huge 4x4s with tracks, as well as inflatables tied on – in order to reach their boats and ships, because nothing else works there. But now, some of these 4x4s have been kitted out to go straight from slush to water in case the ice cover breaks. The Arctic is now actually referred to as the ‘wetlands’ – mosquitoes have arrived, along with crows, and one batch-mate, who is from Pune, even picked up some special grass to grow in his backyard. The countries at the top of the world have neatly divided the Arctic between themselves. But shipping lanes will re-draw themselves – just take a look at a globe, and see how close China actually is to North Europe and North America over the Pole. And new generation ice-class ships are already operating.

On the other end, for the first time in history, an Indian flag ship visited the Antarctic recently. Ice is breaking off at a rapid rate, and flowing Northwards. As for what’s happening in the Himalayas – most rally drivers already know this, as they now have to go higher to reach really icy tracts. Or to grow apples. Me, I’ve got my photos from a 1974 summer trip from Manali to Rohtang, and beyond. And when I see what it’s like today, I have my answer. Rohtang Pass was snowbound trekking territory during the summers in the mid ‘70s. If you’re not convinced, ask Kabir Bedi, ask the Indian Army Pioneers who were posted there. And now it’s like the Lajpat Nagar Central Market parking lot for more than half the year.

So what’s our role then, as automobile lovers, in trying to slow down climate change? We certainly can’t really be expected to let go of our motorsports, our fascination for big engines, and the like. But yes, even after taking all this into account, we can try to make a change. If we start today, we may still be able to enjoy the finer aspects of motoring, which require bigger engines and louder silencers.

Here are some ideas:

• Regular two-wheeler usage, whether it’s for office work or short commutes. Obviously, where good public transport is available, like in some cities of India, try to take advantage of that. But, more importantly, if your office uses two-wheelers, please consider investing in a few battery operated models, instead of the regular ones? Your correspondent has done so, and the payback, and subsequent benefits, are substantial – even without debating the environmental aspects. Put it this way, no more challans, no fuel bills, and measured on a 1,500 kilometer per month usage factor, the payback is 21 months for it to become ‘free’ when measured against petrol costs. Do the math.
  
  
• In regular city-use, especially if it involves heavy traffic and difficult parking, try to use a smaller car? Sounds like basic common sense, but then, head for any big function in the evening, or even to the office parking lot, and all you see are these large buggies on display. Especially if you’re the boss, do think about it. The left rear seat of any small car can be tricked into becoming bigger and better – regardless of what you’ve sat in. I think some of the newer small turbo-charged diesel engines give far better city driving experiences than do any of the bigger cars, and the gear ratios work wonderfully too. Also, come summer, they’ll cool better too.
  
  
• Take that heavy 4x4 out, really, into the mountains – not just to Khan Market or your favourite resort. Head beyond the cities, which have regular bus services, and then talk to the locals there to find out how things are really changing. Come back and become an expert on the subject of climate change. Do something useful, for a change, with that greenhouse gas generator lying in your drive. Nobody is telling you to let it go. But what’s the fun if all it’s going to be used for is the ramp at the Hyatt? A big 4x4 only looks ugly in the city. But out there, beyond the road, and above the snow-line, they look and behave like ballet dancers. Do consider a set of winter tyres and chains, if possible, before setting out.
  
  
• Basic engine and vehicle maintenance. I cannot remember the number of times I have resolved queries on bad fuel consumption figures from friends by pointing out just two issues – reverse compressed air through the air filter, and a review of air pressure in the tyres. It appears that we’ve all forgotten how to do anything beyond filling the fuel tank, and that’s the big reason even our low-polluting vehicles throw out so much more garbage into the air. Please do this today, it’s very simple, and a wee bit of over-inflation never hurt anyone.
  
  
• Next car, buy one size down, especially when you know that everybody else is well aware that you can buy one size up – or more. Almost all the smaller cars now provide every safety gadget that the larger cars do – those that don’t will soon follow suit. In addition, there is no shortage of interior detailing available, take a look around. But we end up buying larger cars for these very same reasons, and get no real benefit. So, go for smaller.

Personal transport is one of the bigger causes of climate change, be part of the solution – it’s not rocket science. There are many more ideas. Do write in, and let us know what you’re doing to try and help.

Here’s a well-known truth – Maruti-Suzuki manufactures more cars in India than does Suzuki in Japan. That’s saying a lot, considering the simple fact that Suzuki entered India just about two-and-a-half decades ago with a mandate to manufacture a few thousand cars every year, purely for domestic use in India only – all of them from Completely-Knocked-Down (CKD) kits. You had a choice of two colours (white and light blue, with a red being added soon thereafter). And when they finally launched a fourth colour, a beige, there were celebrations. Stereos were rare, air-conditioning was not an option and had to be retro-fitted, tuning carbs required a lot of time – and skill. Exports? Perish the thought, which was also one reason why they didn’t locate near a seaport – luckily for many of us as it turned out, and for them too, but that’s another story.

Likewise, India manufactures more small cars now than does any other country – where small is defined as an automobile with a length of less than 4 metres.

The 3rd annual HMCI Car-Nival was held at Riyasat Greens, Mehrauli, Delhi, on a bright Sunday in February. Winter is certainly over, as the colourful shirts and clear blue skies proclaimed, and so we at autoX got in early to get an early look at things.

The HMCI Car-Nival is all about the odds and ends, and other stuff that goes into making a vintage motor vehicle complete. Apart from difficult to find spare parts and components, there are also a whole lot of add-on items, and discounts on them as well – all at one location.

The ‘business’ of vintage, and associated antiques, is moving on rapidly to sublime heights. For example, an 80 year old copy of a magazine with a motoring advertisement on the cover fetches anything from 2000 Rupees upwards. So, if you have one lying in that forgotten cupboard back home, then you know where to send it.