Some Facts About Global Warming and Vehicles

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Greenhouse emissions, is a topic being discussed widely today, and especially here in California. The need for a solution is more than and emergency. We are in dire need to clean our air, here and worldwide.

Research shows that moving vehicles have the highest impact on greenhouse emissions. The 450 million vehicles on the road today account for half of the world's total consumption, generate nearly one fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and have pervasive effects on land use and air quality. Personal transportation (i.e., home use) is responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, 33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions.

In addition, fueling passenger cars accounts for more than one quarter of world oil consumption. Light trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUV) are all the rage today, but have severe implications for the environment. The average new light truck or SUV gets lower gas mileage and does not have the same emissions standards as a new passenger car, meaning it will emit more pollutants than a new car.

Some Facts:

• California's rising dependence on fossil fuels is a major factor in increasing greenhouse emission, further exacerbating global climate change.

• Recent studies in California have indicated that global warming may increase incidents of heat waves, droughts, floods, and fires in the state.

• Global climate change may also have potential devastating economic effects upon agriculture, fishing, timber, real estate, insurance, construction, and tourism industries.

• In addition fresh water supplies and local air quality will be impacted due to higher temperatures.

A few air pollutants, called criteria air pollutants, are common throughout the United States. These pollutants can injure health; harm the environment and cause property damage. The current criteria pollutants are:

• Carbon Monoxide – an odorless, colorless gas and is formed when the carbon in fuels does not completely burn. Vehicle exhaust contributes roughly 60 percent of all carbon monoxide emissions nationwide, and up to 95 percent in cities. Other sources include fuel combustion in industrial processes and natural sources such as wildfires.

• Lead

• Nitrogen Dioxide

• Sulfur Dioxide

• Ozone

• Particulate matter with aerodynamic size less than or equal to 10 micrometers. (particulate Matter- Particulates are tiny clumps of various substances that can get deep into the lungs and cause a variety bronchodilator problems.)

The South Coast Air Basin, which is comprised of these counties:

1. Non-Antelope Valley portion of Los Angeles County
2. Orange County
3. Riverside County
4. Non-desert portion of San Bernardino County

Reports emissions released to the air per day from buses, trucks, automobiles, and other on-road vehicles:

1. HC: 92,070 Tons Per Day
2. CO: 976.63 Tons Per Day
3. NO2: 29,207 tons per day
4. PM: 64,510 Tons Per Day
5. Fuel Consumptions per day: 3,535,370

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air every day. Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight and are more susceptible to air pollution.

What is next for us? What can be done? And what are our governments willing to do? Is it about who makes the solution, rather than about what the solution provides? It seems as if the above claim is right.

Several incidents to introduce viable methods to reduce emissions have been met with resistance from authorities, government and beneficiaries in the gasoline industry. Remember the electric car? Well, what happened to it?

In any case the power for change is in the people's hands now. The influence of high caliber individuals, who advocate for green eco-friendly living, is rising today more than ever. Examples are: Sir Richard Branson's initiative to locate a viable solution to reduce greenhouse emissions, with his board of advisors member, Al Gore. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio with the movie the 11th hour, publicly voicing his concern for the planet. Julia Roberts is highly active in the bio-diesel arena, supporting of its implementation in the 500,000 diesel-burning school buses in America to switch to clean-burning biodiesel.

The public is not asleep- no longer! The world is ready for a change; and I am so excited by the fact that actions are taken by individuals on a global level. It seems as if government's power is becoming more in the hands of people, the truth is winning, and light is in the end of the tunnel of our efforts to make a global difference!

Nissim Malul, an advocate for global transformation on a personal, and environmental level. He is always passionate about the famous saying: "cleanliness is next to godliness." He is an Head of International Sales at GEFT, a company dedicated to Reduce global warming and greenhouse emissions, via targeting diesel and gasoline engines.

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