Cars' Contribution To Air Pollution: What's The Real Damage?

Cars are a major contributor to air pollution, but it's difficult to say exactly what percentage of air pollution comes from cars. In 2020, transportation accounted for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with 57% of those coming from passenger cars and light-duty trucks. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that motor vehicles produced about 22% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

Cars are a mobile source of pollution, but not the only one

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), motor vehicles produced about 22% of total US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020, making them the most significant contributor to the country's emissions. Even worse, GHG emissions in the transportation sector increased more than any other sector between 1990 and 2019. Burning one gallon of gasoline emits 8,887 grams (19.59 lbs) of CO2.

The EPA has declared cars "mobile sources" of pollution, but they aren't the only culprits. Big trucks, bulldozers, ships and boats, trains and even snowblowers pollute the air. The Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks estimated that mobile sources constituted 32% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions in the United States in 2019 when including emissions from non-transportation mobile sources. According to a study by researchers at the University of Toronto, published in 2015, 25% of cars and trucks are causing about 90% of pollution from the vehicle fleet.

Fortunately, better fuels and new technologies in cars help. The US government has imposed tougher emissions standards, and consumers want better efficiency. According to the EPA, today's cars are 98 to 99% cleaner for most tailpipe pollutants compared to the 1960s. Hybrid cars, electric cars and alternative fuels will continue to help, but the sheer number of people — and cars — on the roads offsets these improvements.

The US was the world's biggest polluter in terms of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, but China has now taken the top spot

In 2020, transportation accounted for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with 57% of that coming from passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared cars mobile sources of pollution, but they are not the only culprits. Big trucks, bulldozers, ships, boats, trains, and even snowblowers also pollute the air.

The United States was long considered the world's biggest polluter in terms of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, but China has now taken the top spot. China surpassed the United States a decade ago, and its emissions today are about double the American figure. Some of China's emissions are from the production of goods for the United States and other rich countries. However, the United States has been burning coal, oil, and natural gas for far longer, and today the country, with just over 4% of the world's population, is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide that is heating the planet.

According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, soaring demand for coal to generate electricity and a surge in cement production have helped push China's emissions beyond those of the United States. China's emissions had not been expected to overtake those from the US for several years, although some reports predicted it could happen as early as 2007.

While the United States is historically responsible for more emissions than any other country, it is no longer the world's largest single emitter of greenhouse gases. In terms of current emissions per person, Qatar is the biggest polluter, with the United States in 13th place and China in 41st.

Cars produce about 22% of total US greenhouse gas emissions

The percentage of air pollution caused by cars is higher in urban areas and near major highways. The production of electricity by coal-fired power plants and other sources can cause more pollution than most cars. However, burning fossil fuels such as gasoline causes greenhouse gas levels to spike, leading to global warming. When vehicles burn gasoline made from fossil fuels, they release pollutants in the form of nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides and particulate matter directly into the air.

Although the number of cars on the road offsets improvements, better fuels and new technologies in cars are helping to reduce air pollution. The US government has imposed tougher emissions standards, and consumers want better efficiency. Today's cars are 98 to 99% cleaner for most tailpipe pollutants compared to the 1960s. Hybrid cars, electric cars and alternative fuels will continue to help. People can also help by driving less, combining trips for efficiency, and walking, biking, carpooling or using public transportation when possible.

The number of people and cars on the road offsets improvements in fuel and technology

Although it is difficult to say exactly what percentage of air pollution is caused by cars, it is clear that they are a significant contributor. In 2020, transportation accounted for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, 57% of which were passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Cars produce emissions that increase the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which can have a negative impact on human health, as well as the environment.

Despite improvements in fuel and technology, the number of people and cars on the road continues to increase, offsetting these advancements. The production of electricity by coal-fired power plants and other sources can cause more pollution than most cars, but the sheer number of cars on the road means that they remain a significant contributor to air pollution.

In urban areas, and near major highways, the percentage of air pollution caused by cars is even higher. The U.S. government has imposed tougher emissions standards, and consumers are demanding better efficiency, but the number of cars on the road continues to grow. Hybrid and electric cars, as well as alternative fuels, will help to reduce emissions, but their impact is limited by the increasing number of vehicles.

To combat this issue, people can drive less, combine trips for efficiency, and use alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, carpooling, or public transportation. By reducing the number of cars on the road, we can help to offset the impact of emissions and improve air quality.

Burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases greenhouse gases that build up in the Earth's atmosphere

Motor vehicles produced about 22% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, making them the most significant contributor to the country's emissions. Even worse, GHG emissions in the transportation sector increased more than any other sector between 1990 and 2019.

The percentage of air pollution caused by cars is higher in urban areas and higher still near major highways. The production of electricity by coal-fired power plants and other sources can cause more pollution than most cars. However, the sheer number of people and cars on the roads offsets improvements in fuel efficiency and technology.

Electric vehicles charged with renewable energy emit 0 pounds of CO2 and NOx. A standard compact to midsize car that travels 12,000 miles will emit 11,000 pounds of CO2. Burning fossil fuels, like gasoline and diesel, release greenhouse gases that build up in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to warming climates and extreme weather events that can displace wildlife populations, destroy habitats, and contribute to rising ocean levels.

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