Global Warming Myth: Control Automobile Industry - Term Paper Example

How Global Warming Myth is used to Control Automobile Industry Here) (College Here) This research was aimed at proving that global warming caused by the automotive industry is a common misconception. In addition, the research was to show that this conception was a ploy by the government so that it can be able to regulate the automotive industry. Automotive manufacturers participated in the study and produced data on carbon emission from their already produced units. This data was compared with other data on emissions from other sectors of the economy. A pie chart and a line graph were used for easier comparison of the shares of emission from each sector. It was determined that motor vehicles contributed a very small amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Hence it was correct to conclude that global warming caused by motor vehicles is a myth. Introduction In recent times and modern day world, there has been a lot of concerns on the environment. It is true that the environment is critical for mankind to survive because environment provides most of the resources needed for daily activities. A region’s environment is, to a large extent, determined by the climatic conditions. Climatic conditions are purely determined by nature. There has been claims that mankind is contributing to changes in climatic conditions. Human activities are said to upset nature’s critical balance as far as carbon dioxide emissions are concerned. A lot of blame for global warming has been directed on the transportation sector of the economy. Is it really true that global warming exists because of motor vehicle emissions? The reason for this research is the belief that the automobile industry is the global suspect for global warming. According to Automotive News, this is not true. Research done by climate scientists indicates that global warming was even experienced centuries ago (Brown, 2007) . Evidence has been produced to show that the global temperatures were increasing even before the era of motor vehicle travel. This allegation has created discomfort among players in the automobile industry with some viewing it as a way to control the motor vehicle industry. In an interview with Automotive News, Bob Lutz, the vice chairman of General Motors argues that motor vehicle emissions account for a very tiny percentage of the total green-house gases emissions (Brown, 2007). According to the article automobile manufacturers read a sinister motive from the government. The manufacturers feel that the government wants to blame their industry for global warming so that they can introduce regulations on the same and in effect control the industry. The government has a vested interest in the motor vehicle industry ensure that is financial policies work as intended. The United States is a net importer of petroleum energy which is consumed by the transportation sector. Prices changes and market shocks have an impact on the country’s economy. The government has no ability to control these market shocks and their effects so it would be logical to control the largest consumer of petroleum energy so as to minimize the effects of shocks and price changes in the oil market. In order to achieve this this the government wants to control automobile manufacturers and require them to produce vehicle with lower fuel consumption. The government is also encouraging production of vehicle using cleaner alternative fuels through carbon credit programs. The overall objective is to reduce over reliance on imported fossil fuels and the best way to achieve this is to turn the population’s attention and put regulations on the automotive industry (Sauer, 2003). The industry players acknowledge that the number of motor vehicle units in use across the world have increased over the last ten years. The amounts of carbon dioxide globally has also increased though at different rates in different regions. However, the increase in the number of motor vehicles does not match the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is a clear indication that there is misconception that global warming is caused by motor vehicle emissions. The government is making deliberations on how to set up carbon dioxide standards for motor vehicle manufacturers. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers on the other hand feels that such standards will serve to destabilize the automotive industry. The automotive industry is highly sensitive with a high price elasticity of demand. If the government was to set carbon dioxide emission standards, automotive manufacturers would be forced to shift prices for their units upwards. This would result in massive fall in sales and revenue. Global warming caused by motor vehicle emissions is a myth because there are other human activities that release green-house gases into the atmosphere. According to a report by Price Water House Coopers, other human activities such as electricity generation and industrial emissions account for over twenty per cent of the total carbon emissions. Motor vehicle manufacturers feel that in order to control global warming, the government should concentrate on other sectors with large carbon dioxide emissions and not the motor vehicle industry. Method Participants The participants in this study included five major automobile manufacturers who are Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan, Honda, Chevrolet and General Motors. These vehicle manufacturers have been involved in research to reduce motor vehicle emissions. They have also been involved in research and development of vehicle models that have better fuel economy. Improved fuel economy means that there will be lesser emissions of Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases from the vehicles. Toyota has developed a hybrid vehicle model that runs on both gasoline and electricity. As a result of the success of its Toyota Prius Hybrid model, Toyota Motor Corporation is currently viewed as the leader in production in production of hybrid vehicles. Chevrolet has also produced an all-electric vehicle model called the Chevrolet Plug-In. Materials The data used for this study was obtained from the individual companies and articles from environmental organizations. Price Water House Coopers had previously conducted an environmental audit and data from the report was also used in carrying out the analysis for this study. Data from government agencies was not used in this study as it was considered to be from a dependent source. Government data is purely in support of vehicle emissions largely causing global warming. This data contained the growth rates in motor vehicle production as well as changes in engine efficiency and fuel economy. Procedure Data was collected from the vehicle manufacturers on different emission levels. Then this data was presented in a pie chart for ease of comparison. More data was collected from the participants on the number of vehicles produced. Then the data was used to construct a line graph that would easily reveal the trend in production. Results Producing sector Sectoral Share (%) Power Generation 44.4 Industrial sector Steel 6.0 Cement 3.0 Paper & pulp 0.8 Non-ferrous metals 0.5 Other industries 14.9 Household 16.5 Commercial 6.4 Automobile 4.5 Other transport means 2.9 Source: Based on IEA, World Energy Outlook, International Energy Agency, Paris, 2005. Discussion From the above results, it is clear that there are other major contributors of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Power generation is the largest contributor while other transport means contribute the least carbon dioxide emissions. This is a clear indication that the heat on automobile industry needs more justification. However, as the current situation is, motor vehicle emission forms the second smallest contributor of green-house gas emissions. Hence it is a commonly held misconception that automobiles are causing massive global warming. The government wants to use the issue of global warming impose restrictions that it will eventually use to control both the local and global automobile industry. Conclusion In conclusion, this study has provided some facts into a myth that is commonly embraced by the population. Every time there are discussions on global warming, the automobile industry is usually the prime suspect. This study has shown that there are other more important and major contributors to global warming. The government has put measure and regulations on the automobile industry in efforts to control their carbon emissions. These measures are economically counter-productive and the government should instead focus on other major sources of carbon dioxide emissions. These regulations are merely meant to control the lucrative automobile industry. References Brown, P. (2007, February 5). The Heat is On. Retrieved from Automotive News Website: http://www.autonews.com/article/20070205/FREE/70201070/1155 Batista, T., Freire, F., & Silva, C. M. (2015). Vehicle environmental rating methodologies: Overview and application to light-duty vehicles. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 45, 192-206. Chan, A. Y. C., & Byrne, J. (2014). Air quality and pollution management. Australian Environmental Planning: Challenges and Future Prospects, 86. Freedman, M., & Jaggi, B. (2011). Global warming disclosures: impact of Kyoto protocol across countries. 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