Greenhouse gases are gases from sources (both human and nonhuman) that warm up the earth by trapping heat that normally reflects off the earth into space, much like how an actual greenhouse traps heat. Examples of nonhuman greenhouse gases include water vapor and sulfur emitted from volcanic activity. Examples of human greenhouse gases widely include carbon dioxide emitted from cars and coal burning factories. These same gases that contribute to global warming have now been found by the EPA to be detrimental to human health as well as the health of the earth. The EPA says that some of these dangerous gases should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. However, there's good news. In 2016, all newly produced cars will have greenhouse gas emissions standards as well as a raised fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon.
I'm actually not really all that surprised that greenhouse gases would be bad for us humans. Given the fact that cellular respiration creates waste in the form of CO2 that our body tries to get rid of by exhalation, I don't think that breathing in more CO2 would exactly be good for us. As for the new emissions standards, I think that's brilliant. I drive a Toyota Camry and always thought of it as decently gas efficient. It gets 19 miles per gallon city and 29 miles per gallon highway, giving a combined total of 25 miles per gallon. However, it seems that my car isn't quite fuel efficient enough. I'd like to see how fuel efficient the Camry is when it is produced in 2016. I also am skeptical that most of the SUVs that we see today will ever evolve to attain 35 miles per gallon. I read an article on Yahoo recently that talked about the worst cars of 2009. The top of the list? A SUV that only got 13 miles per gallon.
Monday, December 7, 2009
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9 comments:
...I thought that it was already known world-wide that greenhouse gases were detrimental to human health as well as Earth's health. o.o;;;
Nonetheless, hybrid cars that run on electricity rather than gasoline will hopefully be able to cut down on these gas emissions and begin the first steps to healing the damage already done to both the world and to humans.
-Annie Yang
Even though hybrid cars are much more fuel efficient, i dont think that this is a solution. we are just postponing the inevitable fact that our natural resources are going to run out. this is why we need to put renewable energy sources onto the main-stream market. it would create a lot more jobs and heal this wounded earth.
Ellery, things are easier said than done, and in this case, much easier said than done. Creating jobs cost money and it's into a market that's only slowing making it's way into the current economy. Most people do not want to invest. Sadly, I will have to agree that hybrid cars are only a delaying tactic. Though it is a step in the right direction, there are so many more opportunities out there that are just not explored enough by the media to get into the public's attention simply because either 1. the public won't understand it so the media can't make an interesting story about it, or 2. it doesn't affect the public too much in terms of investment and what they can do.
I also thought it was already known that greenhouse gases could be damaging to human health. It might be just that it wasn't officially announced or acknowledged by the EPA before.
Also SUVs do get less mpg than most other small cars but they can carry more people, if a SUV is filled up it could actually have better fuel efficiency. However it's just that most people rarely fill it up to the full capacity.
I think hybrids aren't just delaying the situation, they can help with the current situation for now. It is just a stepping stone to newer technologies. Until their technologies are released hybrid cars can help reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use. Tesla are starting to release their line of full electric cars, although these wouldn't be as practical for long distance drives, it is a step closer to cars that are completely independent of fossil fuels and would work well to drive around in cities. Of course these cars still generate pollution through the electricity they use. We get most of our electricity from coal, so even if we all use full electricity vehicles we still have the problem of coal to deal with. Even with full electric cars there still greenhouse gases and other pollutions being released.
So i believe hybrids is a step forward, when newer technology are released we will probably slowly transition to them, I don't think we are going to see many sudden changes but rather gradual ones, like normal cars to hybrids.
Preston, you made it sound like carbon dioxide is the only greenhouse gas in your post, so I wanted to clarify that greenhouse gases can be many things. CFC's, Nitrogen oxide compounds, and even water vapor are considered to be greenhouse gases.
Also, I believe that whether more fuel efficient cars in the US will be a solution or not, depends on how other nations are dealing with their affairs; if other nations keep building more coal power plants and keep chopping down forests, it will not be enough just to get hybrid cars. But I think that if things were to stay the same or be better (from the global warming perspective) around the world, more fuel efficient cars will be a solution.
-Yuzo Yanagitsuru
Honestly, I don't think that hybrid cars are really a solution. Requiring cars to get at least 35 mgp is a step in the right direction, but I do not think that will really do much to reduce green house gas emissions. I think our country should turn to public transportation as a solution. I know public transportation is not always convenient, especially since our country and the whole suburb/city idea was pretty much built around the idea of the car. But, I think people should make the extra effort to try to cut back on car-use. Also, if more people use public transportation, it would allow the government to expand our bus and train systems so they are more convenient. With just a little effort, we could seriously cut back on greenhouse gases produced by cars.
Not only would public transportation help, but just simply carpooling too. So many of us seniors drive ourselves and only ourselves to school. Carpooling can get more cars off the road, not only creating less ghg emissions, but clearing traffic and making parking less stressful as well. I know carpooling to school can be difficult since people arent allowed to drive anyone besides family for a year, but there are many who have had their licenses for over a year and can and should carpool with others. I know carpooling wont make a HUGE difference, but any little action can help.
Hybrid vehicles are a milestone for energy efficiency. They are one step towards a brighter future. They give us hope that newer technologies are out there that will one day make us non-reliant on gasoline as a fuel source.
Even if vehicles are still fueled by gasoline because it is easier and cheaper to get and use, changed in energy sources in different areas can certainly have a huge impact.
For example, take fuel cells. Currently FCHV's (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles) are being tested to try and make them more efficient and safe to use. Fuel cells in vehicles hasn't been extremely successful due to their excessive weight (due to a large, heavy tanks needed to store the hydrogen at high pressures) and the fear that they could possibly explode. And on top of that, one must be certified to fuel their FCHV vehicle with hydrogen. But fuel cells can be used, if not for transportation, for . Sitting stationary and extremely quiet, fuel cells are absolutely safe and a single fuel cell could power a whole neighborhood (the heat given off could serve as a water heater and the water produced as a by product could serve as a clean water source).
I had already thought that greenhouse gases affect human/global health.
I still hope people will take at least some measures to reduce greenhouse gases by doing things like driving hybrids, which run on electricity.
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