Studies
U.S. automakers received nearly failing grades in the use of recyclable, safe plastics in vehicles, according to a report released today by the Michigan-based Ecology Center, in collaboration with Clean Production Action. The six top-selling automakers in the U.S. were graded on their commitment to using environmentally friendly plastics.
Tens of thousands of Americans suffer each year from asthma attacks, heart attacks, and respiratory problems associated with fine particles from diesel vehicles. These illnesses result in thousands of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and lost work days. Together with the toll of premature deaths, the health damages from diesel fine particles will total $139 billion in 2010.
The six largest automakers in the U.S. market are responsible for more than 90 percent of the heat-trapping and smog-forming emissions from new automobiles today.Find out which automakers are truly green when putting their vehicles on the road.
In the coming years, hybrids can play a significant role in addressing several of the major problems faced by the United States and the world today: climate change, air pollution, and oil dependence. This report provides consumers and policy-makers with the tools they will need to sort out the many technological, financial, and environmental differences among the hybrids that will be brought to market in the coming years.
Oil use is the largest cause of global warming internationally and in the United States, where it accounts for 42 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Just as oil is the world's dominant fuel and largest source of greenhouse gases, automobiles comprise the largest part of oil use. U.S. auto use alone accounts for 11 percent of world oil consumption. The 8.2 million barrels per day of oil consumed by American cars nearly matches the daily output of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer. In addition, cars and light trucks are the single largest source (responsible for 20 percent) of the United States' total CO2 emissions; indeed, their CO2 output exceeds the TOTAL CO2 emissions of all but three countries in the world.
The automobile imposes a number of burdens on society, such as its carbon burden, or contribution to global warming. Over the past decade, the automotive carbon burden has been worsening, partly because of a shift toward SUVs, but primarily because of the failure to improve the fuel economy of all vehicles, cars and trucks alike. To reduce their carbon burdens, car companies need to increase fuel efficiency throughout their product lineup. Reducing the carbon burden will also reduce demand for oil, helping protect the nation's economic and security interests.
Drilling in Detroit
Union of Concerned Scientists, 2001
This report represents a comprehensive assessment of both the technical and economic potential of achieving a safe and fuelefficient fleet. The analysis is based on existing technologies, many of which are on the road today.
