Environmental Impact

AUTOMOBILES AND THE ENVIRONMENT Consumers have an opportunity to be more environmentally conscious as new hybrid and electric vehicles continue to reach the market. Despite the convenience of tried-and-true gas-powered cars, they affect the environment with their harmful emissions. Here is some data to show you just how much, so maybe you'll consider a greener vehicle for your next purchase. 1. The U.S. has... 30% of the world's AUTOMOBILES and consumes 25% of the world's OlIL but only has 5% of the WORLĎ'S population. 2. The average car produces 20 CUBIC POUNDS of CO2 for every GALLON of gas burned. 20 cubic Ibs. CO2 It takes 240 TREES to absorb the CO2 produced from one car in a SINGLE YEAR. COUNTRIES BY CO2 EMISSIONS PER CAPITA (in metric tons) 56.2 31.2 19.1 17.4 9.7 4.6 Quatar Kuwait U.S. Canada Japan China 3. Cars contribute to environmental pollution through more than emissions: 4 tons Oil, dirt brake dust and road particles contribute to parking lot pollution. 4 tons of carbon are released into the environment for every car produced. Car noise is often the top source of noise pollution in urban cities. 4. SUVS vs. Sedans: EMISSIONS YEARLY COST SUV 47% more than sedans SUV $8622 Sedan Sedan $6577 5. By 2016, legislation requires new cars to average 35.5 MPG. CO2 emissions will be reduced by 900 million metric tons over each car's lifetime, 30% reduction over present levels emissions. 30% increase in minimum MPG. 6. Hybrids are a great alternative to traditional cars: 35% reduction in emissions over gas powered models. 24 Up to $3,400 in tax breaks. 20-25% better MPG. 7. EVERY YEAR, smog pollution is responsible for: 159,000 emergency room visits 53,000 hospital admissions 6 MILLION ASTHMA ATTACKS 8. Studies show CHILDREN living within 250 YARDS of congested highways are SIX times more likely to develop CANCER. CHILD'S CHANCE OF DEVELOPING CANCER Living within 250 YARDS of CONGESTED HIGHWAYS Living farther than 250 YARDS from CONGESTED HIGHWAYS SOURCE http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/07/29oc highways29.html http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/colombia/images/map.swf http://bicycleuniverse.infotranspo/almanachtmlesources tp//ww s/caa70/0s.htm http://www.b ollution20report.pdf article85991722450,00.html http://www.arb.cacgov/html/brochure/sothings.htm hittp//www.law.com/sp/articlejsphd12024474O8964 http//www.hybridcars.com/federal-incentives.html http://hybridreview.blogspot.com/2006/04/pros-and-cons-of hybrid-carshtmd http:/www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/articles-hybrid-car emissions.html http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTREG044OV20100105 http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/automobiles-and-environment.html itp/planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-car/green- cars-statisticshtml http://ediac.om.gov autobloggreen by our friends at Autolnsurance.org