Every year people around the world dump have tons of wasted food, trash, and other materials. A lot of this ends up in places it shouldn’t be such as the ocean or forests. However, there is another issue that faces our world that we may not always consider.
Automobiles. Cars and trucks have a significant impact on international air quality and in the U.S. alone they account for “33% of carbon dioxide emissions.” This is an extreme amount and one that should be considered by world leaders. The average American individual produces 11.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. That’s in the form of a gas too. All of that gas goes into the atmosphere and causes damage to it. This is suggested to be the cause of global warming. Another environmental impact vehicles have come from the chemicals and parts when they are broken down. There are many crashes and broken down cars each year and they usually just go to a junk yard where they will not be used again. Then, their components such as the paint, tires, and metals will begin to break down and chemicals will be released into the ground or air. So are cars and trucks really needed for everyday use? For a lot of people it is a necessity but also there are ways to cut down on how much we use vehicles. The problem is convenience. They are common for people and why would you ride a bike or walk when you can drive somewhere? It is just the world we live in. Is there a way to change this though? Can we find a way to be cleaner for the environment and at least as efficient with some other method? Could electric cars be the answer? https://sites.psu.edu/perspectivesontheenvironment/2015/03/27/the-effects-of-automobiles-on-the-environment/
38 Comments
Aiden
10/12/2019 03:42:55 pm
I think we can all agree that cars are so apart of our society that we can’t just up and get rid of then. Where would we put all of them and gas is too big a industry to just drop. It’s not feasible by any means. The only thing that is going to force humans to stop driving cars is the loss of the oil and natural fuels that runs them. I’m the future there will be and already has been many different alternative kinds of cars that run on other sources such as electricity.
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Faith
10/13/2019 01:54:42 pm
It would be hard to get rid of cars altogether. What are the alternative types of cars you mentioned?
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Sabrina
10/13/2019 06:07:22 pm
It would be hard to get rid of cars, but isn't that the obvious solution? It seems silly to just slow the bad effects of cars.
Ezra
10/13/2019 02:35:05 pm
I agree if people tried to take away cars and other vehicles most people would probably go into shock because it is such a large change to our way of life.
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Tori Weir
10/13/2019 04:12:45 pm
Running out of fuel is one way people will stop driving cars. Scientists and engineers are looking for healthier and efficient alternatives than using fuel. What else can we do to reduce the uses of cars?
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Erykah Foss
10/12/2019 11:50:05 pm
Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are clean, reducing smog and "emissions of carbon dioxide by as much as 30 percent, carbon monoxide by 85 percent and carcinogenic particulate emissions by 99 percent." A 2008 analysis by TIAX LLC shows that natural gas decreases the amount of greenhouse gas production by 23 percent for medium to heavy-duty vehicles compared to gasoline and diesel. According to Transport Topics, the United Postal Service announced that $450 million will be spent on 6,000 natural gas-powered vehicles and supporting infrastructure next year.
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Faith
10/13/2019 01:57:59 pm
This is very interesting. How far do you think society will go until we are forced to switch to more eco friendly cars? Will we continue to use normal gasoline powered cars until the atmosphere is unrepairable?
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Erykah
10/13/2019 07:16:19 pm
Ideally, no one will be forced to do anything. Electric vehicles are much more efficient than gasoline-powered cars, which drives rich business owners to invest in them. Although many people know that natural gas is cleaner than gasoline, we continue to use gas because it is the common technology.
Andy Gebhardt
10/13/2019 03:58:45 pm
I have heard of natural gas vehicles and their use but I do not really know that much about th em. I feel as though they cannot be as much use for efficiency needs or more of the country would be using them. Do you know what their production and usage rates are today? Is it something many car companies should consider changing to?
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Sabrina
10/13/2019 06:10:24 pm
I don't think most of the country would switch to a newer, better car if they got the chance. People already have cars and many buy them used because they don't have money to buy a new car. What would we do with all of the "bad" cars we have now if we were to switch over?
Tori Weir
10/13/2019 04:02:51 pm
Coal plants are all over the world and used a lot. It also plays a part of the air pollution and is overall not healthy for the environment and our health. How long do you think scientists will develop more efficient ways than using a coal plant?
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Erykah
10/13/2019 07:16:34 pm
My prediction is that it will take about 50 to 60 years before electric cars become common and coal plants become irrelevant.
Faith
10/13/2019 01:52:40 pm
A clean atmosphere has always been a huge issue that hasn’t really been noticed up until very recently in society. Just like many other important issues like a clean ocean. Since society is just now starting to become aware of what their actions have caused, it is extremely complicated to change our ways. We have adapted to taking cars almost everywhere we go and using many different plastics and other substances that are not biodegradable, and harm the environment. There have been a few small changes such as avoiding plastic straws by using paper ones or just no straws at all, or using reusable water bottles. But cars are a whole different story. Most people own a car, if not more than one car, and use it every day. The only solution I could see being possible is changing from standard cars, to electric cars. However, electric cars seem to be the most expensive ones in the market. The commonly heard brand Tesla, sells their cars anywhere from $35,000 to $124,000. The companies goal was to create a car that runs on sustainable energy so the world would not have to rely on fossil fuels. If Tesla, or a different company would find ways to make a more affordable electric car, I think we could easily change our ways. But this only helps the atmosphere issue.
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Ezra
10/13/2019 02:37:40 pm
The problem with electric car manufactures is that all they want is profit, it is not really about saving the environment. They just want to be rich like most people in the world. I would be difficult to convince them to make more affordable cars.
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Aiden
10/13/2019 03:31:55 pm
That is true, the main drive isn’t to save the planet in which we live but to make money. You can’t just lose millions to save the atmosphere, at least from a business standpoint. I like how you highlighted the cost of alternative energy sources.
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Kately
10/13/2019 08:21:22 pm
Tesla vehicles are typically bought by the 1%, not ideal for the average person. If they could be produced more cheaply, perhaps a beneficial change is possible. I'm glad you pointed out the cost of one, if not the most expensive vehicle brand.
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Ezra
10/13/2019 02:28:40 pm
When ever I go anywhere I need to use my car because I live in North fork. North fork is about 22 miles away from town and it would probably take me a while to walk to town. I could ride a bike but then I would have to get up at like two in the morning, and I would probably still be late to school everyday.
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Aiden
10/13/2019 03:26:21 pm
I agree that taking away motor vehicles isn’t going to work. I like the idea of not abolishing motor use but just restricting it, like through the use of public transport. That may work because transport would be harder but also way closer to a tangible idea at lessening the blow on the atmosphere.
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Andy Gebhardt
10/13/2019 03:55:57 pm
You make a good point about the bus systems except that people often have to go in and out of town at different times in a day. To make a system like buses work there would need to be a change in what time people worked and when they wanted to be in town. However, it would be very beneficial for the environment with a lot less vehicles being in use on the roads. Do you think something like this could ever work or be used?
Paige
10/13/2019 06:53:49 pm
The problem with riding the bus would be forcing people to ride it. No one would ride it unless forced. It is much more comfortable and satisfactory to ride in your own car than on a bus full of people. And, if we were forced to ride buses, we would no longer be living in a free country.
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Brax Kauffman
10/13/2019 09:11:59 pm
While I do agree with you that this would be an excellent solution to this problem, do you think it is a liable option. Do you think there would be many problems with getting people to agree with these new methods rather than continuing with there previous and easier ways?
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Tori Weir
10/13/2019 03:57:03 pm
Vehicles are used on a daily bases by almost everyone. To get rid of this type of transportation is nearly impossible to do, although there are some other alternatives. Going on the public bus and subway is a good way to help reduce air pollution. Some of the healthy ways are walking and biking but due to the weather, it is limited to use. Many people know the harmful and negative impacts of driving cars, but they do not act to stop it. Some of the main reason why people choose to drive their own car is privacy from other people, getting to places on their own time schedule, and being comfortable in the environment. When it comes to electric cars, only a few can afford them. Electric cars are expensive and a lot of people do not have that kind of money. If it was affordable then it would a good alternative than driving on gas.
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Erykah
10/13/2019 07:31:45 pm
Switching from gas-powered cars will take decades. As our technology matures, they will go into full production, making each car more affordable. This process is similar to computers. In 1995, a personal computer cost up to $3,000. Today, a chromebook is sold for around $200.
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Kately
10/13/2019 08:14:05 pm
I agree with Erykah, not to mention that there are people who still prefer to work on older, more classic vehicles. The ability to do maintenance and modifications to your own vehicle is limited when it becomes too complicated and delicate.
Maddy
10/13/2019 09:39:53 pm
The use of trains, buses, bicycles, walking, and other types of transportation, other than personal vehicles, is used by many people every day already. Attempting to gain more of these vehicles that hold larger quantities of people would not be the best solution. It would require rescheduling for many people due to their jobs and school hours. Plus many people don’t want to have to share their personal space with a bus full of strangers anyway. It’s a difficult question without many great answers.
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Sabrina
10/13/2019 06:32:02 pm
I think that some day we will be able to abolish the use of cars that have negative effects on the planet. I think that day is very far away. We are so dependent on the use of cars that replacing the enormous system of cars that we have would be a monstrous task. There are almost 240 million cars registered in the US alone. We could start replacing those with more eco-friendly cats, but how long would that take? How many people would be willing to buy a new car for the sake of the environment. Many people, myself included, still don't notice the bad effects that our vehicles can have on the planet. We could try to limit the use of cars on a daily basis, but how realistic is that? Most people feel like if they're using their car, it is because they need to. We are spoiled by immediate satisfaction. We could cut out personal cars and use public transportation, but where do those 240 million+ cars go? What about China, who has the most vehicles used in the world? It's not right to try and reverse the advances that we have made, or realistic to try and replace all of our cars. Is there a perfect balance of technology? Should we have iPhones and ride horses everywhere instead?
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Paige
10/13/2019 06:50:15 pm
Immediate satisfaction is definitely one of the weaknesses that come with a privileged society. I agree that one day we will acknowledge the harmful effects of carbon dioxide emissions and work towards change. However, today is not that day and there are not enough environmentalists to stop this problem.
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Alyssa Farnworth
10/13/2019 08:05:28 pm
As you stated, many people still don’t recognize the negative effect their cars have on the environment. Do you think that education should be the first step the general public takes to a more clean environment? You also stated getting rid of all cars would be implausible and I agree do you have any suggestions to a solution?
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Paige Hilton
10/13/2019 06:43:03 pm
Automobiles are most certainly not needed for everyday use. But, in our ever growing society they are a convenience set to work with our day-to-day fast-paced lives. As was already noted, if we have the resource, why not use it?
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Erykah
10/13/2019 07:50:24 pm
Today, it is unrealistic that people will start buying electric cars because they are expensive. I think electric cars will eventually become a common form of transportation in the future. In the meantime, we can make choices that benefit the environment. For example, we can walk or bike when we can or purchase a gas-efficient vehicle over a monster truck.
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Maddy
10/13/2019 09:28:21 pm
Another issue with the electrical cars I have noticed other than the cost, is the need for charging stations instead of gas stations. It may be costy to replace/add those stations. But our society changes quickly and it is possible once people begin to get accustomed to eltric cars, such as Tesla’s.
Alyssa Farnworth
10/13/2019 08:01:46 pm
As you and many others stated electric cars are the way to go to help our environment but, they are expensive. How do you feel it could be possible for them to be available to the general public? Should this be a priority for companies that make eco-friendly cars? In the meantime what could be done to keep car usage to a minimum? Would regulating the amount of time/miles a person could go each day, month, etc. be plausible?
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Brax Kauffman
10/13/2019 09:16:02 pm
I am glad you pointed out that the main problem isn’t having the solution, it’s getting people to use it rather what they are accustomed to. What do you think is the best route to take in order to get people to see that these changes need to be made?
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Alyssa Farnworth
10/13/2019 07:56:46 pm
Noticing a problem in society, such as the detrimental effects vehicles can have on our environment, comes too late. Many of the problems we are noticing today such as the overuse of plastics and the negative emissions from cars come with the fast, efficient, and easy lifestyle we have adopted overtime. To get rid of cars would be a nearly impossible task as most use them in their everyday lives for tasks such as work, school, and recreation.
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Kately
10/13/2019 08:04:06 pm
I personally really like the idea of electric cars, and I believe they may become commonplace in the near future. (As of right now, they are too expensive for the common individual). Batteries when charged at full capacity can last as long as even 400 miles. Until they become common, I'm not sure how useful they will be. You don't see too many charging units for such vehicles, and if it stalls in a remote area, you're quite stuck...The paint and chemicals can still cause problems to the environment, though not as much if gas emissions are eliminated.
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Josephine Yahraes
10/13/2019 08:07:58 pm
Due to our increasing population cars are being used more than ever. I notice when I'm travelling in larger cities how extremely congested the roads are with cars, trucks and, semis. I cringe when I see the black exhaust exiting out of the semis and into our atmosphere. This is only going to get worse in the future if we don't fix this issue. I believe that electric cars would lead to a healthier cleaner environment. Not only would they improve environmental conditions, they would also help better the lives of people living with medical ailments. Alongside the general public those struggling with breathing problems such as COPD or asthma would benefit immensely. So yes electric cars necessary to the lives of the public and preservation of the environment.
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Brax Kauffman
10/13/2019 09:08:08 pm
The environment is important and like every other problem such as this there are solutions to it. The problem is that these solutions take people out of there way and there is never a large enough amount of people willing to deal with these changes. This is true when it comes to vehicles and human transportation. People like their cars. Whether it is for practical use where it is by far the faster travel method or simply because they look cool and are fun to drive around , people will continue to use them. Over the past years there was been vast improvements when it comes to the affect these transportation vehicles have on the environment such as electric or more fuel efficient cars. However the problem isn’t that these don’t exist, it’s that most people do not prefer these types of models and would rather stick with what they consider to be better. The only way you could get a large movement with these environmentally friendly cars is by making laws surrounding them and that will not happen.
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Maddy
10/13/2019 09:25:27 pm
With my little Ford Ranger I’ve had to deal with quite a few days of walking to work early in the morning and the frustrations of no longer having my personal transportation. It sucks. I complain every time my truck breaks down, so it’s easy to say that cutting back on the amount of people using vehicles is not going to happen in the near future. We depend on them way too much to get to work, school, other states, and everywhere else we go. The electric vehicles recently coming out has been a good start, but they are way too expensive and require building in charging stations rather than gas stations. I believe change needs to happen in order to help our environment and taking care of our world, but starting with changing our vehicle usage isn’t gonna be the best start. We should start with more safe and better ways to run our factories and smarter ways to burn the fossil fuels that are being admitted into the atmosphere.
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