What are the main problems for the environment and society of relying on cars for personal transport - Essay Example

?What Are The Main Problems For The Environment And Society Of Relying On Cars For Personal Transport? Table of Contents Introduction 3 EnvironmentalEffect from Relying On Cars 3 Social Effect from Relying On Cars 5 Similar to the imposition of negative impact of automobiles to the environment, the use of cars also impose biggest threat to the society. In this similar concern, it has been noted that the increased number of cars has also increased the number of accidents in the society. Since roads are overcrowded with large number of cars, the number of accidents has also raised by a significant level. This affects the people living in the society as they do not feel free to move in the roads because of the ever increasing danger of occurrence of such accidents. Furthermore, due to increase in the use of cars as a public transport, the traffic problems are increasing with every passing day. In rush hours, roads are filled with variety of cars and create an overcrowded scenario. These affect the people living in the society as their day to day life is disturbed by this significant concern (Schwartz, n.d.; Center for Lifelong Learning & Design, n.d.). 5 Recommendations to Mitigate Such Problems 6 Conclusion 7 7 References 8 Bibliography 10 Introduction The importance of transport as a means of communication has increased significantly in modern day society. There are different modes of transport that broadly execute by people to travel from one place to other. The most common means of transport that are being increasingly executed are cars, trains and buses among others. These means of transport are often termed as public transport as they play a vital part in supporting the common people to travel conveniently in different locations. However, it has been noted that amid the aforementioned means of transport, cars are mostly preferred by the people throughout the globe (White, 2008; Bunting, 2004). With this concern, this paper intends to present the effect on environment and society from the over reliance of people on cars for public or personal transport. Environmental Effect from Relying On Cars The impact of cars and other public transport especially on environment can be considered as one of the major concerns as they duly affect the environment by a greater level. Since people rely heavily on public transport, different means of transport especially cars have been increasingly used worldwide. It has been apparently observed in this similar background that the environmental impact from the usage of car has been viewed to be a crucial matter of concern. The use of automobiles on cars imposes severe impact upon the environment at large. A few of the major environmental impact from use of automobiles is centered on the emission of toxic gases that is generated from it. It has been noted that the toxic effect from brakes and tires of cars are a widespread environmental concern. These materials increase the toxicity level of the soil and lead to the formation of black carbon. These would certainly affect the well being of people as these are considered harmful for human beings as well as the environment. Furthermore, it has also been noted that painting and coating on cars also impose biggest threat to the environment. Different sorts of techniques that are used in painting along with coating on cars like mold painting release hazardous materials like nickel, chromium and copper resulting in affecting the environment by a greater level. It is worth mentioning that vehicle weight is also considered to be one of the crucial factors that affect the environment by a greater level. It has been noticed that concerned authorities like the automakers are considering vehicle weight as one of the prime reasons for causing global climate change. Other than this, the manufacture and end of life treatment relating to lighter vehicles is also a major reason for generating harmful impact upon the environment (Environment Protection Agency, 2013; Singer, 2011; Miller & Spoolman, 2011). Apart from these the batteries that are being used in automobile products are also viewed to impose negative impact on the environment. The batteries used in automobiles discharge toxic lead particles that affect the health of the people and also impose biggest threat to the environment. Batteries are regarded as crucial components of any kind of vehicle and its importance has increased drastically in recent times. The techniques used in making batteries consist of nickel-hydride or lithium-ion technology and it is considered to be one of the vita determinants affecting the environment. Furthermore, the remains of auto shredder residue arising from leftover of automobile vehicles are also considered to be toxic for the human beings. In this regard, a few of the auto shredder residue would include rubber, foam, lead, cadmium and chrome among others. All these impose negative impact on the welfare of the environment. Thus, on the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed from a broader perspective that the use of automobiles in cars as an effective mean of public transport impose unfavorable impact on the environment and most crucially affect the health as well as the well-being of the human beings living in such hazardous environment (Environment Protection Agency, 2013; Echeverria, 2000; Office of Technology Assessment, Congress, No Date). Social Effect from Relying On Cars Similar to the imposition of negative impact of automobiles to the environment, the use of cars also impose biggest threat to the society. In this similar concern, it has been noted that the increased number of cars has also increased the number of accidents in the society. Since roads are overcrowded with large number of cars, the number of accidents has also raised by a significant level. This affects the people living in the society as they do not feel free to move in the roads because of the ever increasing danger of occurrence of such accidents. Furthermore, due to increase in the use of cars as a public transport, the traffic problems are increasing with every passing day. In rush hours, roads are filled with variety of cars and create an overcrowded scenario. These affect the people living in the society as their day to day life is disturbed by this significant concern (Schwartz, n.d.; Center for Lifelong Learning & Design, n.d.). In order to determine the social effect resulting from the use of cars, it has been apparently observed that the individuals or people bearing car oriented lifestyle suffers a lot as they mostly prefer to have luxurious travel by car than that of walking to a particular destination. This adversely affects their health as they become quite familiar with travelling by cars rather than walking which involves certain physical work. Moreover, it has also been noted that with the increased usage of automobiles in cars, the amount of noise pollution has also augmented immensely throughout the globe. When large number of vehicles blow horns altogether, there occurs the generation of irritated noises unfavorably affecting the health of the people as it cause headache and other health problems to the societal members. Overall, on the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed that the preference of car as a means of public transport impose severe negative impact on the society which should not be ignored as it generates biggest threat to the well-being of the people living in the society (Bryant University, n.d.). Recommendations to Mitigate Such Problems In order to deal with such negative impacts concerning relying on cars for public transport, it is to be stated from a broader perspective that it is the responsibility of both the government as well the people to adopt as well as execute certain significant measures to mitigate this crucial problem. From the viewpoint of the governments, it can be stated that the governments should strictly instruct the automobile companies to come up with products that impose minimal negative impact to the society and also to the environment. In relation to the people, it can be affirmed that the individuals or people living in the society should need to avoid using cars while travelling for short distances and take a walk instead. These would certainly help to reduce the problems for the environment and society of relying on cars for personal transport by a certain degree. Conclusion From the overall analysis, it can be observed that the importance of automobiles has been prioritized significantly in day to day activities for human beings. However, there are certain aspects linked with the amplified significance of automobiles that people tends to ignore for using a luxurious means of travel like that of a car. It has been noted the use of automobile as public transport has increased the quantity of imposing negative impact on both the environment and the society altogether. This affects the health as well as well- being of people living in the society and adversely affects their day to day activities by a greater level. Thus, it is the responsibility of both the governments belonging to diverse nations and the individuals or people to adopt and execute certain significant measures in order to mitigate such complex situations. References Bunting, P. M., 2004. Making Public Transport Work. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. Bryant University, No Date. Negative Effects. Home. [Online] Available at: http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/sprg_99/kantrowitz/negative.htm [Accessed May 02, 2013]. Center for Lifelong Learning & Design, No Date. Negative Impact of the Automobile. Home. [Online] Available at: http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/systems/agentsheets/new-vista/automobile/negative.html [Accessed May 02, 2013]. Echeverria, J., 2000. Environmental Effects of Tax Differentiation by Vehicle Characteristics: Results from Costa Rica, the - 8142iied. IIED. Environment Protection Agency, 2013. Environmental Impacts from Automobiles. Document. [Online] Available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/owcm.nsf/1cd445fecfbc1bf488256b5600608d29/05e0ad6f80488e868825765700709d1e!OpenDocument [Accessed May 02, 2013]. Miller, G. T. & Spoolman, S. E., 2011. Living in the Environment. Cengage Learning. Office of Technology Assessment, Congress, No Date. Increased Automobile Fuel Efficiency And Synthetic Fuels: Alternatives For Reducing Oil Imports. DIANE Publishing. Singer, A., 2011. The Environmental Impact of Cars and Trains. Carbuster. [Online] Available at: http://carbusters.org/2011/12/11/the-environmental-impact-of-cars-and-trains/ [Accessed May 02, 2013]. Schwartz, J., No Date. The Social Benefits and Costs of the Automobile. Home. [Online] Available at: http://www.joelschwartz.com/pdfs/Schwartz_Automobile.pdf [Accessed May 02, 2013]. White, P., 2008. Public Transport: Its Planning, Management and Operation. Taylor & Francis US. Bibliography Collier, J. L., 2005. The Automobile. Marshall Cavendish. Degobert, P., 1995. Automobiles and Pollution. Editions OPHRYS. Naik, 2007. Society and Environment (Google eBook). Oxford and IBH Publishing. Read More