Cars and the Way They Affect the Environment, Essay Example

Introduction

There has been an alarm in the environmental pollution cases in the US and Canada. This called for a research to study cars and their contribution to environmental pollution. An interview carried out, and then further, a questionnaire was constructed, distributed and duly filled by some of the teachers and students of Kings School. This particular approach provide a great impact on identifying how humans view the proper utilization of cars and how such attitude relate to the development of environmental pollution in the society at present. In relation to the overall content of this study, this research report presents an analysis of the findings in the form of charts, graphs, and further discussion of the statistically analyzed documentary; through the presentations used, this research hopes to create a clear depiction on how car utilization issues are developed and how likely could they be resolved accordingly.

Statement of the Environment Issue

In the US and Canada, environmental pollution due to emission of dangerous and poisonous gases into the environment is an issue calling for alarm. One aspect that defines this condition is the fact that the marketing on prestige cars relating to human relations actually affect the market. For instance, men having the desire to drive prestigious cars to impress women, and women do, actually desire such men affects the process by which the purchase of such cars increase each year. These prestigious cars have complex engines that emit more gases than simple cars, but who cares? In fact, the cars fixed with modern engines that have several other devises added in to control the air flown in, control fuel delivery and control the exhaustion. The processes of these additional devises contribute to an additional emitted gas. All we care about is the comfort associated with these vehicles and not the harm they cause to our esteemed environment. Apart from the emission, another problem arises of disposing the exhausted car parts. There are the most advanced car designs that only use the black box modules. These are not repairable in the local garages. The old car parts require replacement with new ones, then where do these old parts go? They disposed in dustbins, and then dumped to the environment causing harm. Some even burnt exposing the environment to burning metal exhausts on top of the burning fossil fuel. Additional problems of the cars include noise pollution, accident dangers, and the health effects on plants animals and the human being.

Historical Issues on Cars and Pollution

The topic on cars and the effect they have to the environment, generally discussed and known globally. However, in 2008, the capitalist economies nearly collapsed. General motor industries affected in the US and Canada. In fact, all the motor vehicle customers in US and Canada had promotions on larger vehicles from the car and truck manufacturers. The US and Canada manufacturers had the aim of exploiting innate tendency of human to win the dominion of customers above other manufacturers, and this reported an increased environmental hazard. The US and Canada reported to be the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, with 80% of these gases come from cars (Lassen, Claus 56). The emission of the gases reportedly increases each year. In fact, in 2004, there was an emission of 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide. This is a 16% increase of the emitted gases in the 1990’s. This problem calls for immediate action.

Report and analysis of the Findings

How Cars Cause Pollution and How the Problem could be Resolved

While the choice of noise caused by non-road worthy vehicles present as a way cars pollute the environment, 100% of the respondents said the way cars pollute the environment is through exhaustion of fumes. The reported most effective way of reducing car related air pollutions in your opinion is through buying cars that consume less fuel,(45% of the respondents) and Searching for other means of transport ( also 45% respondents). Only 10 % of the respondents suggested that a family to be allowed to buy one car. None of the respondents supported the idea of selling cars at a very expensive price

The Government’s Role in the Problem

Five percentage of the respondents believed that the government was really doing something to reduce car related air pollution. 30% of them rejected it and had it that the government really does nothing the reduce car related pollutions. The greatest count constituted of the 65% respondents who had faith in that as much as the government was doing something, there is still more that can be done.

The government, being the primary actor of administration in the society is expected to have a great impact on how automobile production is controlled. The environment, being in turmoil and an uncanny situation, should then be one of the most important concerns of the government. However, because among the concerns they give attention to is also that of the economy, the government’s attention towards the environment and its protection becomes specifically imbalanced. Relatively, the government should give specific concern to how the economy develops properly while also creating possible considerations on how they are to help in the process of protecting the environment. Balance is necessary, however is thought to be almost impossible as the values of automobile sellers have a great impact on the economy and yet they too are causing a great problem in the environment by creating unfriendly engines that cause environmental pollution.

Factors Considered in Purchasing Cars

Presented in this graph are the different factors that drive the buyers to get the kind of cars they hope to own. Relatively, these factors have been seen to have a great impact on how people view the relation of car usage in connection with their everyday affairs. Notably, these factors are most often than not making a specific consideration on how each buyer view the importance of personal transportation in their lives [whether they are students or teachers/professionals].

Basing from this graph, it is interesting that a whole lot of 65% of the respondents consider the style, comfort, and the accessories of the car. Only 10% would put into consideration the fuel efficiency. The worst of it all is that none of the respondents would consider the effect the car has to the environment, very interesting. Another question sought to be responded to is in connection with reducing air pollution caused by cars. 35% of the respondents had it that they buy cars that consume less fuel, 5 % of them said they have reduced the number of cars in their families, 25% of them said they have taken alternative methods of transport where possible, e.g. walking, riding (bicycle). It seen that there was a whole 15% who are not yet sure on what they can do, while the ignorant group that knows what to do but I keep procrastinating formed 20%.

The Responsibility of Reducing Car Pollution

There was a nice response to this question as 75% of the respondents felt that it is our responsibility as a whole to stop air pollution. Others felt it is the governments’ responsibility, while 10% felt it is the role of the environmental groups. It is therefore note worthy that every one of us should contribute towards caring for our environment.

In another question that sought to find out if global warming cease/stop if cars were to be eliminated brought an interesting outcome. A whole 80% of respondents felt that the approach would not stop but it would play a major role in reducing global warming. 10% of the respondents felt that cars have no major impact on the environment. Another group forming 10% have no interest in the environmental impact thus are not sure since they do not pay much attention to the problem at hand. The result of this survey and examination rather compelling as it provides an indication that the undeniable source of supposed ignorance of the people towards the problem causes them to give less attention to the actual situation involved and likely make wrong decisions especially when purchasing cars in the market. Instead of giving attention to what the cars could make of the environment, pursuing personal desires become a great source of competence which later on becomes the source of the problem.

Why People Care Less about Proper Car Management

The greatest number of respondents (35%) believes that the people know what to do but they are unwilling. How could this be? Notably, one of the reasons behind the occurrence of such problem is the fact that individuals have personal perceptions and desires they hope to respond to. Making a great impact on the environment is a matter less cared for because of the prestige and reputation that cars provide their owners with. Notably, this thinking and attitude is brought about by the fact that automobile marketing approaches have a lot do with it. The mental conditioning of the market is directed by the different approaches of marketing and how they influence the attitude of the people with regards car ownership and how it affects their recognizable reputation not only among their friends but in the society as a whole.

The Future of the Environment in Relation to Car Use

It is worth noting that there is a very small number of respondents (30%) who have faith in the future of our environment. Wheras, the percentage of those who think will be worse because little or nothing is being done to improve (35%) is equal to the number of those who think that the environment will be the same since there is not so much that is being done in relation to the problem that is being considered by the society. It seems that at some point, realizing that not all are actually trying to solve the issue makes it harder for others to be serious about the idea of creating a more refined indication of solving matters that are related to environmental devastation caused by reprehensive utilization of cars. With the wrong practice and wrong attitude among users, the car issues resulting to environmental conditions of devastation is expected to increase rather than decrease through time.

Conclusions and recommendations

In as much as the ordinary person can enforce ways to reduce environmental pollution and the negative effects the car has to our environment, the government has a major role to play. Below are some if the rules the government should enforce.

• Increase and improving the Public Transport where commuters have diverse options to chose from in the public transportation
• Separation of commercial and private traffic for increased and efficient use of roads
• Stop the building of car-oriented roads and rather built highways that accommodate the public transportation (Lassen, Claus 36)
• Remove car parking places or even charge more for parking fee to discourage the private car use
• Build more and more paths for walking, create bicycle routes, and roads only meant for small electric vehicles
• Ensure there is a reduced tendency to commuting by building business activity buildings near residential places. This is only possible upon rebuilding the city.
• Set up reward systems where car owners encouraged to practice car-sharing plans car-pools
• Having strict road rules where car owners denied access privileges, Road Tolls, increased gasoline, and vehicle registration taxes
• Increasing the cost of fueling cars and licensing fees even further
• Provision of tax incentives for any other alternative means of commuting
• Introduction of reward and voluntary schemes
• Introduction of strict Penalty Schemes upon those breaking imposed rules on car use

While public issues regarding car utilization and development continue to rise, this report shows that the problem becomes more devastating as the society considers a careless attitude towards the situation. While people depend on the marketing presentation of automobile industries, it could be analyzed that the condition of the mind of the market primarily buying the said transport options has been specifically defining the development of the same industry hence increasing the chances by which the environment continues to thrive in a devastating condition. Solving the problem is to be dependent on social coordination and cooperation hence making a great impact on how the whole society tries to help each other towards creating a more sustainable environment in the future.

Nothing is to be developed in relation to this problem unless the whole society pitches into the solution. Notably, it could be observed that while people do care less, imposing campaigns and information development approaches that are dedicated to making people know more about the situations they are facing regarding improper car use and management could further make it easier for them to wake up and join in relation to the course of solving the problem. The unity of the people towards identifying and accepting the occurrence of the problem is one step towards resolving the issue. Becoming more involved in the situation through making adjustments and changes is a great source of confidence that could specifically make a definite representation on how much more the society could actually pitch in the process of resolving the issues. Overall, what makes these problems real is the fact that conditions of social mentality make a great impact on the situation, and its solution could be sourced out from refurnishing that particular sense of mentality towards a more positive condition.

Works Cited

 Lassen, Claus. Transport Reviews, Vol. 30 (6) 2010, p733-751, 19p.

Manthei, Jennifer. Studies in Latin American Popular Culture, Vol. 29 (2011) p142-163, 22p.

Stephen J. Gislason MD. Air and Breathing. Alpha Education Books 2011.

Stodolska, Monika; Acevedo, Juan Carlos; Shinew, Kimberly J. Leisure Sciences, Oct-Dec, Vol. (5) 2009 p466-482, 17p.

World Meteorological Organization / United Nations Environment Programme report, ‘Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion’ WMO Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project-Report No. 44 (1999) Geneva.