The invention of the automobile has had a gigantic impact on the earth. No only is it one of the causes of global warming, it has also helped to increase the percent of over-weight or obese people in car driving countries. But the automobile is not just a nuance to society. Cars have helped to create not just factory jobs, but cars salesmen, shipping and mechanic jobs, and engineering positions. Also, western American cities and suburbs were built around the idea that were going to drive. There are also some ways people car avoid using a car, which are healthier for the environment. They are riding a bike, or even walking. These simple ways can help to cut down emissions, and make people healthier. (126)
First off, cars have one of the greatest impacts on global climate change in today's world. The U.S in particular has one of the largest effects. The Union of Concerned Scientist said "Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the United States. It causes over half of the carbon monoxide, over a third of the nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons in our atmosphere in 2006" (UCSUSA.org 1). The U.S. is one of the most developed countries in the world. If places such as India or Africa start consuming as much as the U.S, does, the amount of pollution will skyrocket. (106)
Secondly, cars can help to cause obesity. Places that walk or bike more, such as Latvia, have an active transport 67%, and have a 14% obese population. While the U.S. has an active transport at 12%, and a 33% obese population (sustain.cs.washington.edu). This shows that even walking places instead of driving can have a big effect on the health of the population. (60)
But the automobile industry has some up sides. Car makers help to create a huge amount of jobs that supports the economy. About 1 in every 10 jobs has to do the car making industry. U.S. car companies buy the most raw materials out of any other company in any other business sector. Metals, plastic, rubber, wiring, and computer chips are some of the things that go into making a car, that the manufactures buy from other companies (CNN 1) . Auto manufactures don't just give jobs to the people building the cars, but also the give jobs to the miners, rubber farmers, leather manufactures, and producers of the raw materials. (109)
Also, some people see a car as a need and not just a want. These people would most likely be living in a suburb, were most of their jobs are in the city. And public transportation isn't very prevalent. The American suburb was built around an idea that Henry Ford had, low cost cars that most families can afford(About.com 1). This meant that people could spread out and live farther out of town and still have a way to get into the city. So most people who live in spread out communities need are car for work, travel, and shopping. (99)
But, I believe that the environmental problems of owning a car far outweigh the benefits. The pollution and environmental effects I see as a more urgent than keeping cars around. If we destroy the earth so humans can not inhabit it anymore, then what good is the car. I think that using more active ways of getting place to place is the future of transportation. (64)
Work Cited
http://sustain.cs.washington.edu/blog/index.php/2009/01/16/the-relationship-between-cars-and-obesity/
Cars and Obesity
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/vehicle_impacts/cars_pickups_and_suvs/cars-trucks-air-pollution.html
Cars and Pollution
http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-13/politics/granholm.energy_1_energy-independence-auto-industry-battery-technology?_s=PM:POLITICS
Cars and the economy
http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/suburbs.htm
Cars and Urban Sprawl
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5523771_definition-urban-sprawl.html
Cars and the Suburbs
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