Get ready to chalk one up to the environmentalists… or OPEC… I’m not sure who the credit this with, but it seems to be a win for the human race in the long run.

General Motors has announced it is closing four plants in the U.S. that produce large vehicles, and it may… prepare yourself… end the Hummer brand of trucks. What does this mean? Well, the L.A. Times sums it up nicely here. Of course, it might also sell the brand, but let’s hope for the best.

Nothing has symbolized the excess of American living at the beginning of the 21st Century as well as the Hummer. Not only does it contribute to new asthma cases among children, it funds the other side of the “War On Terror” at the same time… leaving us with sicker citizens and an emboldened enemy. That takes talent.

Of course, this will mean a drop in available jobs for a while, but if we can get a president in office that could help Americans deal with the flattening world (i.e. new job training for those laid off), we should be able to take that almost in stride.

Let’s hope GM follows through with this. I, for one, would love to see the Mini and its rivals take the place of Hummers, if for no other reason than making it easier to find a parallel parking spot… sheesh.