In this paper, I will be outlining the costs and benefits of social and technological fixes, and then I will be assessing the use of social and technological fixes of air pollution through the use of automobiles.
Annotated Bibliography
1. Kirsch, D. A. “The Burden of History: Expectations Past and Imperfect.” The Electric Vehicle and the Burden of History. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers U, 2000. 195-208. Print. Chapter 6, “The Burden of History: Expectations Past and Imperfect” from Kirsch’s book, The Electric Vehicle and the Burden of History, focuses on the problem of automobiles in the modern day. Kirsch states that internal combustion engines release greenhouse gasses, which harm the environment. Each individual contributes to air pollution
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Although many countries have developed technological solutions, such as low-sulphur fuels, three-way catalytic converters, and unleaded petroleum, Moriarty and Honnery argue otherwise. Moriarty and Honnery claim that finding a technological solution for automobile pollution is not possible. Instead, the human population will have to find alternative transportation solutions. They state that the public will have to make sociological alterations, such as walking or cycling to places, or in some cases, using more energy-efficient public transportation modes, as they will benefit the atmosphere more than technological fixes …show more content…
Emissions are seen as technological issues because the vehicle emits a lot of hazardous substances into the environment. However, constantly traveling or using an inefficient mode of transportation is seen as a social issue. In order to stimulate both social and technological fixes, the approach of Strategic Niche Management (SNM) was introduced, which consists of various experiments. Several experiments are conducted where both, social and technological solutions are applied to distinguish how they impact the environment and how individuals feel about the required changes in their
With a declining or no use of cars can result in the reduction of pollution quite tremendously. They can by reducing the greenhouse effect. As the author reports in the article, “In German Suburb Life Goes On Without Care” by Elisabeth Rosenthal, “Passenger cars are responsible for 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe… and up to 50 percent in some car-intensive areas in the United States.” Therefore, with cars being a leading factor of greenhouse gas emissions, reducing their usage would have a positive effect on the environment. After days of near-record pollution,
Currently the human race is coming to terms with one of the most monumental problems of its own creation : air and water pollution. The poisoning of the very air we breathe and the water that we drink has become too prolific to ignore any longer. One culprit ? Automobiles. The more smoke we expel from the exhaust pipe, the more we exhaust our environment and poison the air and water that allows us to exist. But what can we do to reduce the amount of pollution we produce ? It’s not like we can just stop driving ,right ? Wouldn’t it have an adverse effect on our productivity or make it harder to get to work ? It’s not like it would make a difference anyway, right ? Well not necessarily, currently there are entire countries banning automobiles
Automobiles play a major role in today's society. Almost every American owns at least one motorized transportation vehicle. Some say they make our lives better by reaching places faster than before. Others say they are a harmful to the environment. Have they made our society better or worse? They may be fast, but do we as humans want our environment to suffer because of time. Face it, cars pollute. And they release destructive chemicals into the air. Air pollution can threaten the health of many subjects in the environment including human beings.
Pollution has become a heated issue in recent years. The destruction of the environment along with serious health problems are the eventual effects. The extensive use and availability of automobiles, tremendous amounts of production in the booming economy and the constant increase in demand for energy, can be held responsible.
In this article “Why the Gasoline Engine Isn’t Going Away Any Time Soon,” Joseph B. White states that alternative energy cars could be the start of a revolution in the automaker world, however, complications interfere with the outcome. Although the author suggests different ideas on alternative vehicles, he contradicts himself numerous times while also lacking credibility of any sources.
Automobiles create many problems for the environment and the government. Pollution is created from cars, and people are dying from cancer and heart
David A. Kirsch examines the manufacture of storage batteries for the electric vehicle, which was manufactured by various companies. As these companies rushed towards the manufacturing process of the vehicle, the development of its storage batteries was one of major troubles in the initial stages of the production process. These companies neglected improvements of the storage battery by failure to transform any of their previously renowned characteristics. This was despite expectations by early electric vehicle enthusiasts of a revolutionary discovery in energy storage technology. The expectations were based on the fact that engineers in the second half of the 19th Century had experienced several technological revolutions. Regardless of incremental technological changes that have relatively enhanced the capability of the ordinary electric vehicle, the expectations were never fulfilled, especially those for better storage battery. Even though there was significant progress in technologies used to manufacture the electric vehicle system, none of these technologies were able to meet the expectations.
The client that I have decided to observe and write about is Michelle Draeger. Ms. Draeger has short spiky hair, light colored eyes, and wears glasses. Also, she is forty-three years old, has siblings such as an older brother, and while growing up was part of Band in high school.
Cars consist of being the number one way of travel throughout the United States. We rely on them to transport us to work, activities and necessary destinations. With this constant use of vehicles, it has had a negative impact on the environment. Although cars were invented almost a century ago to make life easier with getting around, car pollution has been our number one source of air pollution and has significantly impacted our environment due to how accessible they are. Arising problems such as air pollution, global warming, and health issues of americans, we have to come to the understanding that our environment is at risk if the amount of car pollution continues to increase.
As stated in his article “Why the Gasoline Engine Isn’t Going Away Any Time Soon,” Joseph B. White believes that “an automotive revolution is coming -- but it’s traveling in the slow lane” (White 260). He goes on to state throughout his article that today’s reality is one that prevents this “revolution” from taking place in the way that Americans all hope for. He sites the current inability to design an engine that would run on an energy source other than gasoline or diesel but still have the same power that traditional engines have, as well as the cost of gasoline versus the cost of electricity, as some of the sources of our woes. Some companies do not want to move away from their old factories and workers whose union agreements make dismissing
Climate change and transportation play a big role and it is important to be concerned for our future generations. The use of gasoline cars is a major producer in carbon dioxide emissions, although they are not entirely responsible for it—they play a role in it. Other form of transportations like buses and taxis also contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. The total amount of carbon dioxide emissions from an average car is seventy six percent which comes from usage of a vehicle containing gasoline. Efficiency has increased by twenty percent in regards to electric motors, especially when it comes to their wheels using no power when the car is at rest. Car ownership will increase and with this, improvements in technology could be a vital
Air, is one of the most substantial source to mankind and our planet. While it exists, so does everything else along. However, in today’s epidemic, there has been certain factors that have increased in understanding whether the air we breathe today is healthy or not? Is it doing more harm than we thought? In other words, the health risks against air pollution have risen in the past few decades; all from what you may ask? Well, it could be for various factors and evaluations; either environmental or materialistic. Pollution is a major public health crisis in the world. (Friis, 2012). This is one of the conflicts that contribute to various aspects of an individual’s life, whether they may realize it or not. In this paper will include the sources that cause pollution with the effects it cause as well as policies on the regulation of air pollution.
The automobile has had a tremendous impact on society and the environment since its development in the beginning of the 20th century. Today, there are over 500 million motor vehicles on the earth. The automobile's efficiency, style, and performance have changed over the years, but there is one thing that has not - the pollution the automobile generates. Because of the pollution, people find themselves asking whether this technology has helped our society or hurt it. Should the consequences of the automobile be cause to eliminate it? Or should science develop technology to eliminate the pollution caused by the car?
Transportation is the number one thing we consumers do that harms the environment. Transportation causes the highest amount of environmental damage overall - nearly half of the toxic air pollution and more than a quarter of the greenhouse gases traceable to household consumption. Over time, however, sales of trucks, vans and SUV's went from 16% market share to over 50%. One big auto manufacturer even shelved their work of the last three years, spent updating their most popular selling economy car, so they could spend the money getting SUVs to market faster.
The amount of factories and industries has grown immensely through the previous years which has resulted in an expansion in the consumption of petroleum products. Innovation has begun to increase and has promoted the expansion of the production of cars. As stated by the Air Quality Research Center, “Air pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental problems, causing many adverse health effects and responsible for 50,000 deaths in the U.S. each year” (Air Pollution and Health – Air Quality Research Center.). The smog and