Environmental Impacts Associated with the Production and Consumption of Motor Vehicles - Case Study Example

Environmental Impacts Associated with the Production and Consumption of Motor Vehicles Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Introduction The focus of this paper is on the environmental impacts attributed to the production and consumption of motor vehicles. The decision to undertake this course of product rests with the fact that there has been tremendous increase in the way companies have opted to manufacture cars for the ever-growing world population. In fact, unlike in the past where the number of vehicles was somehow less, today the number has increased significantly due to such factors as affordable prices that have resulted to intensive increase in both production and consumption (Fu & Xu, 2012). In fact, research indicates that over the past few decades, the degree of consumer demand has fostered the growth of more powerful, heavier and fuel-guzzling automobiles (Ngo, West, & Calkins, 2009). In an effort to oversee the successful protection of the environment from such vehicles, different fundamental automotive regions of the world resulted to formulate legislation set to challenge and bind fuel economy standards for the period starting 2015 and beyond ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). A perfect example is when OEMs resorted to formulating as well as commercialising the intensive technology options that full seeks to adhere with the existing imposed targets while at the same time suit the numerous areas of advantages, which is clean-based diesel products for all European OEMs and hybrid models that are now popular within the entire Asian market ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Summary of Environmental Impacts of Motor Vehicles i) Production Stage In the course of production, numerous raw materials like processed steel, aluminium, plastics, glass and rubbers that are deemed to be necessary in the construction of automobiles likely consumes limited natural resources and uses intensive amounts of energy, which has resulted to intensive environmental consequences in great length (Fu & Xu, 2012). In fact, the whole aspect of manufacturing, operations and maintenance of automotives has resulted to intensive impacts on the existing environment through the use of non-renewable resources. These resources include metals like aluminium, petroleum-related products, which are greatly utilised for purposes of producing plastics and fuel; as well as other notable fossil fuels like coal that is used in the generation of electricity; needed for the production of electricity ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Continual use of these non-renewable resources affects the environment in a significant number of ways. For instance, non-renewable resources are becoming more and more finite by the day and thus, it is noted that there should be regulation in the manner for which they are utilised ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Subsequently, the process of generating this form of resources for the purpose of car manufacturing is able to cause a great deal of damage like the degree of damage that results from the mining of these resources ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). A perfect example being the creation of landfills, which is a significant wastage of valuable pieces of land and, which can result to both soil and water pollution in a short period. It is established that automobile assembly points are also major sources of pollution. Such facilities as intensive engine plants and metal stamping points contributes significantly to the release of sulphuric acid as well as other smokestack emissions into the immediate air (Fu & Xu, 2012). Notwithstanding, the fact that these plants altered direction of water flows into their plants resulted to contamination of the overall flow into the nearby rivers and lakes due to contaminated levels of paints (Nilsson & Kuller, 2000). It is indicated that at the car assembly points, lots of water is used in cleaning car parts before fitting. This was water might be treated or not and whenever they are treated with certain chemicals and later used and released into the nearby stream without any form of decontamination results to pollution. On the consequent, in the course of filling and refilling car parts with oil and other important car liquids like car battery acids results to accumulation of dump into the ground, this later enters the underlying underground water supply channels and contaminates it in the end (Kaiser, Wölfing & Fuhrer, 1999). Notably, the overall network supply of all systems involved in the immediate production and delivery of vehicles to the customer also results to intensive harm of the environmental bodies like the transportation systems (Fu & Xu, 2012). The process of delivering finished cars into warehouses located in different sections also results to intensive pollution. In most cases, these cars are bundled-up in a single heavy duty truck that is used to transport them into positions that can allow easier shipment. The process of transportation is indeed strenuous and requires lots of energy for these trucks, which end up emitting lots of pollutants especially unburned carbon into the air (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). These heavy duty trucks use diesel fuel, which when partially unburned produces lots of poisonous gases like nitrogen oxide that dangerously pollutes the environment (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). ii) Consumption Stage As mentioned earlier in the discussion, the level of automobile discussion has increased over the few decades thereby posing a great threat to the environment. Some of the notable environmental impacts associated with the increase in consumption levels are discussed as follows; First, continuous production of automotives especially that are meant to meet customer demands, results to intensive levels of noise pollution (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). It is important to note that automotives greatly affect the underlying environment through noise pollution. There is always increase in noise especially in urban environments where road usage is intense ('Environmental policy: getting prices and governance right' 2011). Unnecessary noise can bring about disturbance at work, distort relaxation and sleep (Fu & Xu, 2012). It can further result to such other discomforts as mental health stress, severe physical issues like chronic exhaustion, as well as heart failures. It is important to ascertain the fact that the degree of noise from automotives tends to increase with the existing size and speed of the particular vehicle (Nilsson & Kuller, 2000). Currently, consumer demands are driven by intensity and size of vehicles, which therefore means that, unlike in the past, today the level of noise pollution has increased tremendously ('Environmental policy: getting prices and governance right' 2011). Given that there are now more urban centres in comparison to few years back, then it technically asserts that the degree of pollution is at its peak (Nilsson & Kuller, 2000). Other notable factors that contribute immensely to establishing the effect of noise involves the design of the vehicle as well as its tyre features. Manufacturers are thereby encouraged to ensure that they make stringent efforts when coming up with these designs in order to reduce the level of pollution at the very end; consumption phase ('Environmental policy: getting prices and governance right' 2011). Secondly, continuous consumption of automobiles results to ozone depletion especially in cars that operate under CFSs (Nilsson & Kuller, 2000). It is important to note that in Australia, there are numerous forms of legislation that prohibits the immediate production as well as possible importation of chloroflucarbons (CFCs). These CFCs are vehemently prohibited due to the fact that it is a major ozone depleting element that was once significantly adopted in the generation of automobile car-conditioners (Hensher, 2006). Despite the fact that there immediate replacement; hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrocarbons (HCs) are deemed safe given that they do not deplete the layer, they however; are major sources of greenhouse effects. It is worth to note that the ozone layer forms a significant portion of the atmosphere given that it protects all forms of life on planet earth through its ability to immediately absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun (Hensher, 2006). In consequence, the UV-based radiation, if not properly managed, results to significant distortion of human body; it is a major cause of skin cancer, genetic distortions as well as leads to improper immune system suppression and in other cases causes a significant reduction in the overall productivity in agricultural processes (Hensher, 2006). Consequently, automobile use further leads to intensive greenhouse gas emissions that later contributes immensely to the overall global warming as well as climatic changes (Hensher, 2006). The main types of greenhouses are carbon dioxide s well as nitrous oxide and methane gases (Fu & Xu, 2012). It is important to understand that greenhouse gases occur naturally within the atmosphere and it results from the entrapping of the possible heat levels that are radiated from the earth’s underlying surface (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). Automobiles consumption propels the degree of the gas by way of burning the carbon-based fuels like fossil fuels. This, in turn, leads to the immediate increase in the level of earth’s average temperatures, which further negatively affects the existing local climates in relation to both temperature and rainfall (Hensher, 2006). It is estimated that in Victoria, the higher number of passenger-focused automobiles results to more than 10 per cent of the overall greenhouse gas emissions hence there is a need for coming up with strategies aimed at prompting reduction in total fuel consumption in order to possibly decrease the level of emissions involved (Hensher, 2006). However, given the high degree of mobilisation of new markets as well as the overall taste and preference for the West vehicles designs-fuel guzzlers emerges an intense increase of overall energy consumption thereby contributing even more to generation of greenhouse gas emissions (Hensher, 2006). Of particular interest, while it has been established that other sectors have made stringent amounts of efforts to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, the global transportation industry has however; seen an increase in CO2 emissions (Hensher, 2006). Statistically, it is established that for each and every litre of petrol consumed in the course of vehicle utilisation processess, there is almost more than 2.3kg of carbon dioxide that is released into the immediate atmosphere (Bhat & Sen, 2006). Taking into account that carbon dioxide forms the major component of greenhouse gases then it means that overconsumption of petrol leads to intensive GHG gas levels. Subsequently, the average passenger-based vehicles are able to emit more than four tonnes of carbon dioxide on an annual basis, which is way too high to prompt reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Bhat & Sen, 2006). The modern car designs allow for the use of gases in the production of air conditioning systems, however insignificant this level of gases might seem they contribute a lot to greenhouse impacts within the atmosphere (Bhat & Sen, 2006). Car owners are thereby advised to make sure that they check their vehicles for possible gas leakages, which should be fixed whenever noted (Bhat & Sen, 2006). A perfect way for which vehicles owners can emulate to reduce or even possibly reduce the level of leakage of gases; they are encouraged to always conform to the producers’ manual in regards to air conditioner usage (Bhat & Sen, 2006). On a more general perspective, it is noted that the usage of air conditioners for short periods and a very regular intervals helps to prevent possible leakages from manufacturers’ seals (Bhat & Sen, 2006). Additionally, intensive consumption of motor vehicles across the globe leads to distortion of air quality especially with the increasing number of automobiles that travel long distances (Fu & Xu, 2012). Research indicate that the level of air pollution, which is brought about by such aspects as smoky exhausts, has a wider and far-reaching negative health effects especially in relation to the most-vulnerable people including those with allergic as well as respiratory-related issues like asthma and notable lung conditions that is commonly associated with the elderly within the society ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). In fact, intensive studies conducted in the few decade that was characterised by increase in the number of motor vehicles per each household, postulate that specific air pollutants like benzene possesses carcinogenic attributes, which is harmful to both human and animals ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). It is important to argue that the level of air pollution is not equal across the different global cities but in fact, greatly varies with different concentration levels of industry, traffic situations as well as land and weather trends. Air quality is affected mostly by the level of emissions that emanate from the immediate number of vehicles that produce intensive degree of such harmful gases as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen as well as other invisible but very dangerous particles in the atmosphere ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Notwithstanding, the level of evaporated fuel is deemed to be a very harmful pollutant. In essence, it has been estimated that close to one third of all vehicle hydrocarbon emissions results from fuel-based evaporation that mainly occur in the course of driving, refuelling and, also when the motor vehicle is in stationary position ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Evaporation is further increased by insufficiently sealed fuel tanks that also involve poorly-fitted fuel caps or even caps that have worn out seal. It can also be caused by intensive spillage as well as overfilling of the fuel tank ('Why the Auto Industry Has to Improve Fuel Efficiency' 2011). Possible Ways of Reducing Emissions There have been a significant number of researches conducted in order to determine the aspects that promote individual-based environmental-based behaviours; which conform to course of actions that relate to environmental-based conservation as well as greenhouse gas emissions reduction and, also different possibility for the modification of consumer behaviour in regards to environmental sustainability (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). The immediate selection of environment-friendly transportation practices can never be compared with environmentally accountable indoor behaviours (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). It is presumed that driving-related attributes, individual-based environmental attitudes and knowledge plays an insignificant part to a person’s socio-demographic profile like education, income and lifestyle as well as their immediate need to engage in travelling escapades (Staats, Harland, & Wilke, 2004). Following this line of reasoning, it is not likely that even with possible government interventions directed towards the promotion of green attitudes as well as environmental sensitivity will be able to convince the existing consumers on reducing and possible eliminating their overall motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions (Staats, Harland, & Wilke, 2004). Climate Change Authority-Australia (2015) provides three efficient ways of reducing car-based emissions and they include; First, it is encouraged that there should be increased efficiency of motorised vehicles. This should be achieved by way of reducing the level of carbon-composing fuel that is needed for transportation purposes (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). It also requires the immediate reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, which can only be done through improvisation of the emissions intensity of automobiles. Automotive should be set for improvements by ensuring to effectively formulate newer designs for new vehicles (Laroche, Tomiuk, Bergeron, & Barbaro-Forleo, 2002). It also a necessity to encourage both individual and company car owners to always replace their older fleets with new and efficient models that enjoy the technology capacity (Laroche, Tomiuk, Bergeron, & Barbaro-Forleo, 2002). Secondly, research proposes that the emissions can be reduced through decreasing of emission intensity of fuels (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). This can be successfully achieved by making sure that there is a permanent switch-off from traditional-based fuels that have a higher capacity to trigger intensive emissions and thereby adopt alternative forms of fuel that have the potential to emit on a lower scale (Staats, Harland, & Wilke, 2004). In fact, this proposition has been adopted in the recent times by companies that are now focused on production of hybrid vehicles that use such renewable sources of energy like electricity and sustainable bio-fuels like ethanol and biodiesel products from plants (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). It is important to note that the immediate level of carbon dioxide that is emitted as a result of fuel combustion processess relies greatly on both their energy content and carbon content. A perfect example is diesel, which has a relatively higher degree of energy and carbon content, which translates to significantly higher levels of emissions per each litre of fuel consumed as opposed to petrol (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). Consequently, the overall effect of different fuels on national emissions likely depends on the upstream form of emission resulting from production process (Laroche, Tomiuk, Bergeron, & Barbaro-Forleo, 2002). For instance, the emissions that are produced from an electricity-consuming vehicle are highly dependent on the electricity that has been generated (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). In the event that the entire powering process of the vehicle conforms to the existing average Australian grid, then it should be comprehended that the completely dependent electric vehicles generate less degree of emissions-intensive in comparison to the average light automobiles, which are indeed the most efficient designs of light cars (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). In the same way, the total lifecycle emissions of sustainable bio fuels depict a great deal of variation depending on their immediate sources. Unlike in other parts where emissions are high, in Australia bio fuels possess significantly lower levels of emissions intensity in comparison to fossil-based fuels on lifecycle platform (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). Finally, it is proposed that emissions can be reduced by creation of a more efficient demand management (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). The whole idea rests on the presumption that there can be effective changes made in regards to the manner for which people and freight are transported and, also making sure to reduce the overall need for movement while at the same time making sure to sustain effective and workable living standards (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). These proposed changes have a far-reaching ability to improve on the emissions intensity of travel and, also reduce the overall transport demand (Staats, Harland, & Wilke, 2004). Notwithstanding, the overall potential for travelling paradigm shift becomes a real challenge to approximate hence the consumption of the method to embrace highly depends on such factors as price and desirability of the alternative transport selections that are available as well as policies and features that are able to influence on movement patterns (Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015). Conclusion To sum up the discussion above, it can be noted that the increased number of motor vehicles has resulted to depletion of mineral resources and energy in the production stages and, ozone depletion, noise pollution, and emission of greenhouse gases among others in the consumption stage. Continuous production of automotives especially those that are meant to meet customer demands, result to intensive levels of noise pollution. It is important to note that automotives greatly affect the underlying environment through noise pollution especially in urban environments where road usage is intense. Notably, continuous consumption of automobiles results to ozone depletion especially in cars that operate under CFSs. It is important to note that in Australia, there are numerous forms of legislation that prohibits the immediate production as well as possible importation of chloroflucarbons (CFCs). CFCs are vehemently prohibited due to the fact that it is a major ozone depleting element that was once significantly adopted in the generation of automobile car-conditioners. In consequence, the UV-based radiation, if not properly managed, results to significant distortion of human body; it is a major cause of skin cancer, genetic distortions as well as leads to improper immune system suppression and in other cases causes a significant reduction in the overall productivity in agricultural processes. The paper also notes that intensive consumption of motor vehicles across the globe leads to distortion of air quality especially with the increasing number of automobiles that travel long distances and research indicate that the level of air pollution, which is brought about by such aspects as smoky exhausts, has a wider and far-reaching negative health effects especially in relation to the most-vulnerable people including those with allergic as well as respiratory-related issues like asthma and notable lung conditions that is commonly associated with the elderly within the society. References List Bhat, C.R. & Sen, S. 2006, Household vehicle type holdings and usage: an application of the multiple discrete-continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model. Transportation Research Part B, vol. 40, pp.35–53 Climate Change Authority-Australia, 2015, Opportunities to Reduce Light Vehicle Emission in Australia. 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