Automobiles have several negative environmental impacts: 1) They are a major contributor to air pollution and depletion of the ozone layer through harmful emissions. 2) Construction of highways leads to deforestation, disrupts habitats, and increases accidents and traffic congestion. 3) Deforestation due to road and parking lot expansion eliminates trees that filter carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

1. N E G AT I V E I M PA C T S O F A U TO M O B I L E S
Travis Robinson
200226917

2. AIR POLLUTION
Over half of air pollution is due to automobiles. Of course
there's more contributors to the issue, but automobiles are a
major contributor. Vehicles emit Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) into
environment, one of the LARGEST contributors. In 40
years, the amount of miles
traveled by Automobiles
have tripled. On average each
family own 2 vehicles. There's
usually a lot of travelling
families do to get from one point
to another, and even sometimes
even further then that.

3. OZONE LAYER
The Ozone layer protects
us from Harmful UV rays
(97-99%). It is located in
the lower stratosphere and
automobiles are a major
contribution to the Ozone
depletion. Harmful emissions Ozone hole in the Arctic
from cars such as chlorine or bromine substances break
down the ozone layer. Over time our ozone layer is being
broken down, and now recent there’s a ozone hole in that
arctic. More harmful UV rays are getting into our atmosphere
and warming the planet, environments, and melting the ice
caps.

4. HIGHWAYS
Highways are a network
where a mass amount of
vehicles access a road to
get from point A to B.
The accidents are
more severe and
sometimes that’s Traffic
congestion. Traffic Congestion
is a mass amount of wasted
fossil fuels from vehicle idling, as
well as emitting Carbon Dioxide. Land and habitats are
destroyed for these road ways. And the air quality and
climate is altered due to the amount of vehicles and
carbon dioxide emitted.

5. DEFORESTATION
Land has been cleared, Animals have to
trees cut down for relocate and find
accessible highways other areas in
parking lots, and also inhabit. It not only
road ways. Trees help affects that, but also
filter Carbon Dioxide changes the climate
out of the air and turns in the area. As well
it into oxygen. Cutting the soils are moist
down these trees only with tree cover, but
helps add more Carbon when not covered by
Dioxide and eliminates harmful UV rays, the
the amount of filtering ground quickly dries
and oxygen produced. out. Trees help
Deforestation has a conserve more water
major impact on the in the soil and area
animals habitats.

6. VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
Vehicles are also a dangerous tool we use every day of
our lives. There's countless accidents every year, some
more serious then others. Last year in Canada with
2000 fatal accidents, and over 100,000 accidents with
injuries. Most accidents happen to the ages of 30-50 or
above. Another negative impact it has to go with it is
driving intoxicated which sometimes lead to injuries
and even fatal accidents.

7. POSITIVE IMPACTS OF AUTOMOBILES
Automobiles have positive affects as well, its just
the outcome with what's produce affects our
health and the environment in a negative way. But
they do offer us a source of transportation to get
from point A to B and even sometimes C and D.
They offer a source of transporting goods as well
making them a useful too for civilization.

8. A GREENER SOLUTION
Electric cars provide a better
source of transportation. Although
these vehicles are costly and not
as reliable. Another possibility
would be fuel efficiency standards,
also increasing fuel emission
standards as well. This will help
eliminate the amount of fuel
burned which is directly the cause
of the Carbon Dioxide emitted.
Increasing these standards will
help make the air cleaner for the
environment and for the human
population.

9. ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Electric vehicles are going to be the next new step into
technology for vehicles. Being 100% electric, no
harmful emissions are produced, and no fossil fuels
are being burned. They are not as reliable as the fossil
fuel vehicles, but they’re still fairly new technology.
The only
problem with them right now
is the battery life. Lasting up to
100 miles and taking 8 hours
to charge. It will be a slow
transition to vehicles like these
as to so many consumers are
still purchasing fossil fuel cars
And still are being made. There will always be use of

10. REFERENCES
Center, E. L. (n.d.). Motor Vehicle Air Pollution. Clean Air: air quality and environmental
law in Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from http://www.cleanair.ca/vehicle.html
King, J., & Media, D. (n.d.). How Does Car Pollution Affect the Environment & Ozone
Layer? | National Geographic. Green Living | National Geographic. Retrieved December
6, 2012, from http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/car-pollution-affect-
environment-ozone-layer-20133.html
Canada, E. (2012, May 17). Environment Canada - Air - 7.1.2 - Cars and Trucks (overview).
Environement Canada - Environment Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from
http://www.ec.gc.ca/air/default.asp?lang=En&n=EC8E75D0-1
New Standards Will Increase Fuel Efficiency. (2012). Professional Safety, 57(12), 13.
Ozone layer (n.d.) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2012, December 5). Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer#Origin
Geographic, N. (n.d.). Deforestation Facts, Deforestation Information, Effects of
Deforestation - National Geographic. Environment Facts, Environment Science, Global
Warming, Natural Disasters, Ecosystems, Green Living - National Geographic. Retrieved
December 6, 2012, from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-
warming/deforestation-overview/
Electric car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Retrieved December 8, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car