Cars have become an integral part of modern society, providing a convenient means of travel for millions of people around the world. However, the extremely widespread use of cars has led to a range of environmental, social, and economic problems that have the potential to threaten the future of our planet. From air pollution and traffic congestion to greenhouse gas emissions, the negative impacts of cars are becoming increasingly evident. Going by this, it could be time to reconsider methods of transport, investing more in sustainable alternatives, such as public transport. In this blog, we will explore the reasons contributing to us needing fewer cars and more investment in public transport. We'll examine the benefits of public transport, the drawbacks of cars, and the potential solutions for creating a more sustainable transportation system. Ultimately, the aim is to inspire you to look at the environment from a different perspective, perhaps considering the ways that you can make a positive difference, for a more efficient, and more environmentally friendly transportation future.
The impacts of cars on Climate change
Cars are one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution, causing a wide range of negative impacts on the planet. One of the most prominent factors is Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Cars emitgreenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change. According to LeaseCar.UK, Transport accounts for around 30% of global carbon emissions, 72% of which come from road transportation.
Another impact that cars have on the environment is air Pollution. Cars emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides. "Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause damage to the human respiratory tract increasing a person's vulnerability to, and the severity of, respiratory infections and asthma." In urban areas with high levels of traffic, air pollution is a major concern and can affect the health of millions of people.
The final two negative impacts of cars are as follows. Cars require a lot of space for parking, roads, and highways, which can lead to the need for destruction of natural habitats. This can be a problem for animal populations living in these areas as they are forcefully moved which can lead to extinction. Animal populations living near roads will also suffer from traffic noise which can be harmful. Cars also require a significant number of natural resources to manufacture and operate, such as oil, steel, and rubber. These resources are finite, and when considering a renewable future, these aren't the best options to be using as a fuel source.
Public transport
There are various types of public transport available today, each with their own unique benefits and challenges.
Buses are a popular form of public transport. They provide a flexible and cheap method of transport, allowing large numbers of people to move around. In the UK there is a scheme called the Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme which aims to fund the purchase of low carbon emission buses. This can significantly reduce the amount of air pollution produced.
Another popular mode of public transport is trains, offering a fast and efficient way to travel longer distances. This is also a method which means that there are less cars on the road so there is a decrease in the emissions produced. A press release from the Guardian stated that “Typically an electric train emits between 20% and 35% less carbon per passenger mile than a diesel train.” Electric trains are now becoming increasingly common, which are much cleaner and more energy-efficient than traditional diesel trains. Trams are very similar to trains but usually work on a more inner-city basis rather than nationwide. They are also usually powered by electricity which makes it a more sustainable option, improving air quality in big cities.
Underground systems are another quick method of transport in more densely populated cities such as London. Similarly with the other methods, this takes cars off the road and carries many more passengers at once, making it a very sustainable option.
One of the biggest advantages of public transport is its ability to reduce emissions and improve air quality. By reducing the number of cars on the road, public transport can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. For example, results of the introduction of the congestion charge in London revealed that "the stricter regulations significantly reduced particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and benzene at locations of schools within the Congestion Charge Zone."
Conclusion
Overall, public transport has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality in our cities. As such, investing in public transport is an essential part of creating a more sustainable transportation system. It may not be easy to stop the public using cars as their main means of transport, especially in more rural areas, in which case the electric car initiative needs to be pushed, providing affordable options for people. The current methods of public transport such as buses, trains, trams and underground systems are perfectly suitable in aiding the reduction of climate change. However, more investment is required in order to implement these systems across the world so that a more widespread change can be made, fueling our drive to a sustainable future.
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