Automobiles and the Environment

The Influence of the Automobiles

Long before the use of the automobile was even thought of, people had the railroads and the riverboats as a means of transportation for use over long distances. For short distances, people had the choice between a horse or a horse-driven vehicle or simply walking. The inconvenience associated with the use of these modes of transportation has greatly contributed to the popularity of the automobile.

Passengers had to contend with the major disadvantage of inflexible schedules. Automobiles enabled people to set their own pace in traveling. They can go where and when they wish or travel faster and stop when they feel like it.

With this greater mobility, came inevitable changes. An entirely new industry was created while existing related industries flourished with the coming of the automobile. As in all "good" things, there are always setbacks and one of these is the automobiles impact on our environment.

The Impact of the Automobile

The automobile's impact on the environment cannot be denied. The various associated effects can be traced from the time a vehicle is manufactured up to the time it is finally retired to the junkyard. However much of the environmental damage has to do with fuel consumption occurring during the regular course of driving a vehicle for its entire useful life.

The extraction of minerals and the production of raw materials for the different parts of the car cannot be considered harmless. Although recycling has greatly reduced potential harm, release of toxic substances is not eradicated during manufacturing and distribution. Add to this the air pollution caused by automobile exhaust when gasoline, diesel or other fuels are burned in car engines and we have one major cause of pollution that continuously worsen by every additional car on the road. Pollution caused by automobile is a major contributory factor to the problem of global warming.

Automobile use can also result in water pollution specifically from the run-off of oil, dirt, dusts, automobile fluids and chemicals from roadways. There is also the problem pf improper disposal of waste fluids and leaking underground fuel storage tanks. Another form of pollution contributed by automobile is the noise pollution.

Like it or not, the proportion of land converted to roads and parking lots is steadily increasing. This is to accommodate the big number of vehicles currently in use. This number continues to increase at a rate which our environment is not prepared to accommodate. Even the wildlife is disturbed as new developments tend to encroach on areas they have long occupied. Automobile scrap materials which are non-recyclable or were simply not recycled are dumped on landfills. These are existing environmental hazards that pose a serious threat if not resolved.

It is quite evident that the more space given up for automobile use, the more space is given up for other things that may contribute to improve the people's quality of life. An automobile is not a bad thing. Too much of a good thing has a potential of turning bad. Automobiles were invented to answer the need for greater mobility for travelers. It has served its purpose well in this regard. It is up to the people what to do with the signs being sent by the environment.