Cars are a huge part of pretty much everyone’s everyday life in the United States, but we do not really think about the impacts of our vehicles when we drive them. Most households have one car per person able to drive and some even have more. Many people collect cars or have a “fun” car that does not get much use. One would think that this extra vehicle does not harm the environment as much, but the damage of a vehicle on the environment starts before the production of it. This information is taken from an article from National Geographic, “The Environmental Impacts of Cars, Explained.”
The production of cars leaves a very large carbon footprint on the earth. This is because of the use of glass, steel, rubber, paint, plastics, and other materials that are used in the production of a vehicle. This is all harming the environment even before a car is ready to be driven. Once on the road, a car uses a large amount of fuel, emitting pollution and greenhouse gases into the air. Obtaining fuel is an energy intensive process that harms local ecosystems. The use of fuel in cars produces around one third of all of the United State’s air pollution. The cost of fuel is another issue when talking about the impacts cars have on the environment. It is said that the ongoing use of fuel is increasing the ongoing issue of global warming in our environment. This is why fuel efficiency is important and a large reason why electric cars are becoming more commonly used in today’s society. When a car no longer has use, things like plastic and battery acid from the vehicle stay in the environment and cannot be disposed of. Today, it is found that around three fourths of a car can be recycled. This is a large improvement in our society as in the past, cars were left at junkyards to sit.
Another large issue with the large use of cars is the increasing amount of infrastructures that are being built. With the increased production of cars, there is an increased need and production of roads and highways. When building these infrastructures, the environment around them is being destroyed. They harm the wildlife in the area as they are destroying their homes, forcing them to relocate, or potentially harming or killing them. Building new roads and highways increases population as well as consuming a large amount of resources.
I think that the use, production, and need of cars will only increase as time goes on. More people drive earlier and earlier in their lives and more families are able to purchase a car than in the past. This article does not seem to be biased as it is just giving information as to how the use of cars impacts life around us. Although the use of electric cars is becoming more common, I do not think that these cars will ever replace “normal” cars and I do not think they will outnumber “normal” cars. Cars that run on fuel are more efficient for many people, especially those who drive a lot and do not have time or the resources to charge their vehicle. Personally, I do not think that I would purchase an electric car due to the convenience of having a “normal” car and my comfortability with it. I also think that people will continue to collect cars as many people enjoy doing so. The impacts of cars on the environment are very large, but so are the impacts vehicles have on society and how they are a part of everyday life.
Work Cited
Staff, National Geographic. “The Environmental Impacts of Cars, Explained.” The Environmental Impacts of Cars Explained, 4 Sept. 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide/buying-guides/car/environmental-impact/
