The document discusses the impact of automobiles on the environment, highlighting their role in promoting a mobile society and boosting economic growth while also pointing out significant drawbacks. It notes that automobiles contribute to air and water pollution, account for a large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, and cause energy overconsumption and landscape changes. The balance of benefits and detrimental effects underlines the complexity of automobile reliance in America.

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Christopher Aranda
11/03/2019
Prof. Foreman
ENVS 2202
Impact of automobiles on the environment
The advancement of the automobile took a turn in the 20th
century though it existed earlier on in the 19th century.
According to Laudon and Laudon (2011), the U.S has over 250
million vehicles today. Though the rise of automobiles has made
a turn in the lives of Americans, it also cost the Americans
adverse environmental impacts. The first advantage is that
automobile, as a means of transport, has helped in establishing a
mobile society. Fast and cheap transportation raises the
productivity of a country through a convenient distribution of
goods and services (Taub et al., 2007). Cars are the leading
forms of family flexibility and mobility. Second, automobiles
have created a considerable economic value through the growth
of industries. According to Gilmore and Lave (2013), trucks
have contributed the most in modern economy productivity.
Trucks conduct the most extensive section of transportation.
Moreover, the construction of roads creates employment
opportunities and thus boosting the economy. Third,
automobiles facilitated the creation of service facilities such as
garages and fueling stations. These also contributed to
economic growth, thus raising the living standards for the
Americans.
However, despite the pros, automobiles have also caused the
Americans, a significant threat due to air and water pollution.

2. Research has shown that automobiles contribute to 34% of
nitrogen dioxide, 33% carbon dioxide and 51% carbon
monoxide (Sellnau et al., 2015). The carbon dioxide released as
a result of the combustion of gasoline and diesel in the
automobile engine is U.S leading source of greenhouse gases.
Due to air pollution, automobiles have the disadvantage of
risking human health, with effects such as bronchitis, lung
cancer cardiovascular and heart diseases. A second disadvantage
is that automobile cause energy overconsumption. While the
United States only generate 10% of petroleum globally, it
consumes 26% (Black, 2012). Every year, as Black (2012),
asserts cars and truck in the U.S account for 43% of the burned
petroleum. Third, automobile occupies an extensive landscape
and causes land-use changes. Automobiles in the U.S
contributes to the consumption of approximately 13,000 square
miles of the U.S land. Urban roads are reported to cover over
4,000 square miles. According to Jakle et al. (2004), the land-
use changes have been reported to be the most prevalent
socioeconomic influence that not only catalyzes changes but
also causes ecosystem degradation. Building urban roads drive
urban development which considerably changes the landscape.
References
Black, B. C. (2012). Oil for living: petroleum and American
conspicuous consumption. The Journal of American
History, 99(1), 40-50.
Gilmore, E. A., & Lave, L. B. (2013). Comparing resale prices
and total cost of ownership for gasoline, hybrid and diesel
passenger cars and trucks. Transport Policy, 27, 200-208.
Jakle, J. A., Jakle, J. A., Sculle, K. A., & Sculle, K. A.
(2004). Lots of parking: Land use in a car culture. University of
Virginia Press.
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2011). Essentials of
management information systems. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Sellnau, M., Moore, W., Sinnamon, J., Hoyer, K., Foster, M., &

3. Husted, H. (2015). GDCI multi-cylinder engine for high fuel
efficiency and low emissions. Sae international journal of
engines, 8(2), 775-790.
Taub, A. I., Krajewski, P. E., Luo, A. A., & Owens, J. N.
(2007). The evolution of technology for materials processing
over the last 50 years: The automotive example. JOM, 59(2),
48-57.