The Global Warming News: vehicles and global warming

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Global Warming and Vehicle Choice

A gallon of gasoline weighs just over 6 pounds. When burned, the carbon in it combines with oxygen from the air to produce nearly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). By switching from a gas guzzler to a hybrid, you can literally save the earth a couple of tons of greenhouse gases.

U.S. cars and light trucks together consume 8.2 million barrels of oil each day. This translates to more than 300 million metric tons of carbon that comes from our cars and trucks every year.
Our transportation CO2 emissions are the largest source (about one-third) of our CO2 emissions, more than factories, homes, and all other sources.
According to Environmental Defense, over the past decade and a half, all auto companies have increased their carbon burden by some degree or another. GM is the biggest global warmer, but Prius-producing Toyota has increased its output at an even higher rate.

What effect could global warming have on the world?

We can heed these warning signs and frightening forecasts—or we can wait until the problems become even more difficult to handle.

Arctic ice is thinning and Antarctic ice shelves are breaking up faster. Sea levels are rising. Global warming could increase the number of people affected by flooding by 20 - 50 million people.
Ranges of disease-carrying mosquitoes have spread, carrying malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases.
Spring comes earlier, fall later, and the growing season has become longer and warmer; agricultural output in poorer countries could be significantly reduced, putting 80 – 90 million poor people at risk of hunger and malnutrition later in the 21st century.
Large cities in the U.S. may experience, on average, several hundred extra deaths per summer.
Temperature changes have caused declines in the range and survival of some plant and animal species; entire ecosystems may be lost and others severely impacted.
According to a 2004 Pentagon report (not an environmental organization), abrupt global climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries fight to defend and secure dwindling food, water, and energy supplies.

If fuel economy were improved by 5 mpg, American consumers would save 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. Moving the world's drivers to more fuel-efficient automotive technology, such as hybrid cars and alternative fuel vehicles, could be one part of a comprehensive strategy to mitigate global warming and its effects.

Facts About Global Warming and Vehicles

The Drive to Reduce Emissions From Fuel

Greenhouse emissions, is a topic being discussed widely today, and especially here in California. The need for a solution is more than and emergency. We are in dire need to clean our air, here and worldwide.
Research shows that moving vehicles have the highest impact on greenhouse emissions. The 450 million vehicles on the road today account for half of the world's total consumption, generate nearly one fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and have pervasive effects on land use and air quality. Personal transportation (i.e., home use) is responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, 33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions.
In addition, fueling passenger cars accounts for more than one quarter of world oil consumption. Light trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUV) are all the rage today, but have severe implications for the environment. The average new light truck or SUV gets lower gas mileage and does not have the same emissions standards as a new passenger car, meaning it will emit more pollutants than a new car.
Some Facts:

California's rising dependence on fossil fuels is a major factor in increasing greenhouse emission, further exacerbating global climate change.
Recent studies in California have indicated that global warming may increase incidents of heat waves, droughts, floods, and fires in the state.
Global climate change may also have potential devastating economic effects upon agriculture, fishing, timber, real estate, insurance, construction, and tourism industries.
In addition fresh water supplies and local air quality will be impacted due to higher temperatures.