A gallon of gasoline weighs just more than 6 pounds. While burned, the carbon in it combines with oxygen from the air to make almost 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). So, you can exactly save the Earth a couple of tons of greenhouse gases when you switching from a gas guzzler to a hybrid.
- United State cars and light trucks together guzzle 8.2 million barrels of oil every day. This translates to over 300 million metric tons of carbon that comes from our trucks and cars every year.
- Our transportation CO2 emissions are the largest source (about one-third) of our CO2 emissions, more than homes, factories, and all other sources.
- Over the previous decade and a half, all auto companies have enlarged their carbon burden by some degree or another. General Motor is the biggest global warmer, but Prius-producing Toyota has increased its output at an even higher rate – according to Environmental Defense.
Global Warming Effect on the Earth
We can pay attention to these warning signs and alarming forecasts-or we can wait until the problems become even more difficult to control. Here some global warming effect on the Earth.
- Spring comes earlier, fall later, and the growing season has become warmer and longer; 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.
- Arctic ice is thinning and Antarctic ice shelves are breaking up faster. Sea levels are going up. Global warming could augment the number of people affected by flooding by 20 – 50 million people.
- 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.
- Ranges of disease-carrying mosquitoes have spread, carrying dengue fever, malaria, and other diseases.
- Large cities in the United State may experience, on average, several hundred extra deaths per summer.
- Rapid global climate change could bring the planet to the boundary of anarchy as countries fight to defend and secure decreasing water, food, and energy supplies – according to a 2004 Pentagon report.
So, when American consumers can increase their fuel economy about 5 mpg, they would save about 1.5 million barrels of oil every day. Moving the world’s drivers to more fuel-efficient automotive technology, such as green cars with their other alternative fuel vehicles, could be one part of a comprehensive strategy to diminish global warming and its effects.
Beside Global Warming Effect, there are other articles by Johan Young you may interest in reading: Carbon Offsets, BMW X5, Honda Hybrid Cars, and GM Hybrid Cars.
Source:Hybridcars.com
