What is the Impact of Cars on Global Warming?
3 Answers
The manufacturing and use of cars require energy consumption, especially for traditional energy vehicles, which consume large amounts of petroleum and coal resources. The burning of petroleum and coal releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. Here is additional information: 1. Main Causes of Global Warming: The primary cause of global warming is the extensive use of fossil fuels (such as coal and petroleum) by humans over the past century, which has led to the emission of large quantities of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. Coupled with the destruction of the atmospheric layer, this has created the "greenhouse effect." 2. Consequences: The consequences of global warming include the redistribution of global precipitation, the melting of glaciers and permafrost, and rising sea levels, which not only harm the balance of natural ecosystems but also threaten human food supplies and living environments.
Every day on my commute, I notice the hot air coming from the exhaust pipes – cars are indeed quietly impacting the climate. Burning one liter of gasoline emits 2.3 kilograms of CO₂, and with nearly 1.5 billion vehicles worldwide, the daily greenhouse gas emissions accumulate in the atmosphere like wrapping the Earth in a thick blanket. Even worse, during urban traffic jams, idling engines waste fuel needlessly, increasing emissions by 20%. Last month’s fuel bill made me realize that driving less not only saves money but also helps slow down the summer heatwaves. Now, on weekends, I prioritize taking the subway or shared bikes when going out with my family. I’ve also noticed more electric vehicles on the road – a very positive trend.
Seeing the increasing extreme weather in recent years, I've checked the data and found that transportation accounts for a quarter of global carbon emissions. Car exhaust doesn't just contain carbon dioxide, but also more potent methane and nitrogen oxides, which trap heat dozens of times more effectively than CO₂. Many people don't realize that the process from oil fields to fuel tanks also consumes energy—producing one liter of gasoline emits 0.5 kilograms of carbon. Now that charging stations have been installed in our neighborhood, everyone's discussing whether electric vehicles are truly eco-friendly. The key lies in the power source—if the electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, it's just shifting the emissions elsewhere.
