Impact of Availability and Reliance Upon Private Automobiles on America Life
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Impact of Availability and Reliance Upon private Automobiles on America Life
Introduction
The invention and widespread adoption of the automobile is among the most significant defining characteristic of urbanization in the 20th century (Ostermeijer et al., 2022). Specifically, private car ownership in the US has been increasing for the past years. Supporting this statement, Moody et al. (2021) urge that the car ownership rate among households in the US has been over 90% for more than ten years. The authors further add that approximately 91% of US adults commute to work using private vehicles. Private automobile imposes significant social, economic, and environmental impacts on communities (Gössling et al., 2022). This paper discusses one particular way in which the increased availability of and reliance upon private automobiles has affected American life. Since Internal Combustion (IC) engines for most of the privately owned cars in the US operate on fossil fuel oil, which emits Greenhouse Gases (GHG), the paper discusses how GHG emissions resulting from increased availability and reliance on automobiles have affected America life and the US history at large.
The widespread availability of and reliance upon private automobiles has led to increased air pollution through the production of greenhouse gases. Research reveals that trucks and cars emit approximately 20% of all GHG emitted in the US (Albuquerque et al., 2020). Thus, automobiles in the US are among the leading GHG emitters globally. Releasing GHG is associated with air pollution, which adversely impacts American life. Supporting this statement, Anenberg et al. (2019) reveal that vehicle exhaust emissions are among the most significant causes of air pollution. The increased air pollution from privately owned automobiles has had significant impacts on Americans’ lives. To begin with, air pollution has emerged as one of the biggest threats to human health due to the steadily increasing usage of fossil fuel-powered cars (Holgate, 2017). According to Thakrar et al. (2020), air pollution in the US is associated with about 100000–200000 deaths per year. Furthermore, automobile emissions in the US account for about 29% and 34% of the organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, respectively (Oliva, 2015). According to the author, these gases lead to the formation of the ozone layer, which is harmful to human health at low atmospheric concentrations. Also, these gases produce particulate matter, which has been linked to severe respiratory illnesses (Oliva, 2015). Research also reveals that automobile emissions facilitate the formation of smog, and ground-level ozone, which triggers severe health issues such as the reduced capacity of lungs, aggravated asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2015). Furthermore, automobile emissions result in ambient air toxic levels. Human exposure to these toxics causes non-cancerous health effects such as immune and reproductive system damage. These increased health effects have also led to changes in the number of deaths related to these diseases.
Secondly, GHG emissions from the increased availability of and reliance upon private automobiles have led to climate change and global warming, further impacting Americans’ lives.
Climate change refers to an increase in extreme weather events (Weinstock, 2022). On the other hand, global warming is the long-term heating of the surface of the earth. A significant contributor to climate change is the utilization of privately owned cars. For each gallon of gas, vehicles and trucks produce roughly 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other GHGs, accounting for about one-fifth of total emissions in the US. The fossil fuel’s extraction, processing, and distribution account for roughly 5 pounds, while most of heat-trapping emissions accounting for over 19 pounds per gallon come directly from a car’s tailpipe (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2014). Mattioli (2020) further reveals that since 23% of all energy-related CO2 emissions in 2010 came from the transportation sector, the industry is heavily associated with climate change. In comparison to other energy end-use sectors, direct transport-related GHG emissions have increased by 250% globally since 1970 (Mattioli, 2020). Climate change and global warming have affected Americans’ life significantly. Rosso (2018) considers climate change one of the leading threats to human health globally. The author further reveals that climate change is associated with climate-related deaths.
Furthermore, climate change affects the overall US economy through its impact on various sectors such as agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. According to Weinstock (2022), about one-third of the housing stock in the US is at higher risk of climate change-related hazards. The author further explains that multiple-dollar properties are prone to complete destruction or completely being rendered unusable by the risk of flooding. Also, the transportation infrastructure which facilitates the production and transportation of goods and services may be damaged by climate change (Weinstock, 2022). According to the author, although transportation systems are designed in such a way they can withstand some degree of extreme weather conditions, increased frequency and severity of extreme events may increase the residual risk. Also, heavy precipitation, heat waves, and other storms which are caused by climate change cause disruptions and delays on roads, airports, and public transit systems, affecting Americans’ lives.
Also, climate change resulting from GHG emissions in the US has adversely affected the food supply. Research reveals that from 2000 to 2021, Northern American has experienced the driest seasons because of climate change. Consequently, this has led to a 20% decline in crop production in the Midwest (Mathews, 2022). The author further explains that the effects of climate change on food production and food security in the US are extreme and are expected to worsen in the future. For instance, the price of wheat hit a 14-year peak in March 2022, and this increase is linked to climate change. Mathews (2022) further explains that Americans have continued to feel these price increases. The most affected regions are conflict-ridden regions. According to Mathews (2022), increased food prices have led to widespread political and social unrest. Other effects of climate change and global warming include prolonged drought periods, increased wildfires, and increased intensity and duration of tropical storms.
Conclusion
Overall, the widespread availability of and reliance upon private automobiles has led to increased GHG emissions, adversely affecting Americans’ lives. Firstly, GHG emissions have led to severe health complications. GHG produce particulate matter, which leads to severe respiratory illnesses. Also, GHG contributes to the formation of smog which causes serious health issues such as the reduced capacity of the lungs, aggravated asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses. Also, GHG emissions from the increased availability of and reliance upon private automobiles have led to climate change and global warming. These have adversely affected human health and caused climate-related deaths. Transportation infrastructure, which facilitates the production and transportation of goods and services, is also damaged by climate change. Furthermore, climate change has affected the overall US economy through its impact on various sectors such as agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. Lastly, the climate has adversely affected the food supply in the US.
References
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Anenberg, S., Miller, J. O. S. H. U. A., Henze, D. A. V. E. N., & Minjares, R. (2019). A global snapshot of the air pollution-related health impacts of transportation sector emissions in 2010 and 2015. International Council on Clean Transportation: Washington, DC, USA.
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