Driving a low emission vehicle or an electric car and reducing personal CO2 emissions may be more beneficial than you think. If you could help save the planet with added benefits for yourself, would you do it? If so, now is the perfect time to take action.
An Immediate Threat
The United States government recently released The Fourth National Climate assessment, which states climate change is real, and we are already seeing its effects. This new report, mandated by Congress and published by the U.S Global Change Research Program, is the most recent and comprehensive confirmation that climate change is human-driven. It calls out CO2 emissions as the main contributor, saying “that longer-term changes in the climate will largely be determined by emissions and atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide...” The United States has been experiencing extreme fires, hurricanes, floods, and droughts that, according to the report, can be linked to climate change. It warns that climate change is “an immediate threat, not a far-off possibility”.
Individual Emissions
The government referring to climate change as an immediate threat should be a wake-up call to take action. Some people tend to think of their own contributions to climate change as trivial, that their actions do not matter in the long run. This type of thinking can be flawed and puts the weight of solving Climate Change onto governments and corporations, who are typically slow to take action. While one person’s actions alone may be trivial, if many people work toward reducing CO2 emissions, the results could have a profound effect. A study done by Jack N.Barkenbus, says that individual human behaviors, such as personal transportation and household energy use, constitute a significant percentage of total carbon dioxide emissions, adding up to be more than what is produced by the industrial sector. To reduce individual CO2 emissions, many people have been adopting behaviors such as engaging in eco-driving practices or purchasing electric vehicles. While these actions may seem simple, they can be relatively easy to adopt and could benefit individuals and the planet in various ways.
Helpful Changes for the Change Averse (How eco-driving and electric vehicles reduce emissions)
Currently, those wishing to maintain their Car ownership have two environmentally friendly options; Purchasing and using electric or hybrid vehicles, and adopting eco-driving practices. The questions remaining within many concerned minds in regards to eco-friendly alternatives may be quite familiar; How cost effective are these alternatives? Will this really help the environment? Will I have to make drastic changes to my routine? Each alternative, eco-driving practices and driving Electric Vehicles (EVs), has their own pros and cons, each of which will be outlined within the following sections.
Eco-Driving Practices
According to Kenan Degirmenci, electric vehicles incur “high purchase costs and short driving ranges...” (although that’s not the main motivator) what this means is that traditional gas using cars are typically less expensive at purchase and can go longer distances before refilling than their electric counterparts. That definitely discourages people with lower income from an initial electric vehicle purchase. Many people can’t afford to buy an expensive electronic vehicle are stuck with a traditional one. What to do? Some simple tips and tricks are all you need!
Eco-driving refers to the practice of using a conventional vehicle in a way that reduces detrimental environmental impact. Accelerating moderately, and maintaining the appropriate speed limit not only reduce auto related injury and death, but they also reduce the CO2 released. Other beneficial practices include car-pooling, using public transit, planning more efficient routes or relocating to an urban area. Not only can these changes help to create a more environmentally sound future, but they provide an opportunity to save some money. (For a larger scale statement, consider lobbying for government regulations that would encourage eco-driving practices. This would work towards making environmentally friendly decisions easy and natural.)
The Benefits of Electric Cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) have made enormous innovative steps since they were first introduced, and they're more popular than ever before. However, some drivers are still reluctant to change from traditional gas-powered cars. This is part of misconceptions that EVs still suffer the same shortcomings they did in years prior. While electric vehicles do, in fact, have their drawbacks, there are likewise impressive advantages to owning one. The advantages of owning an EV seemingly exceed any cons, from spending less cash over the long haul to making fewer outings to the fix shop. Also, it doesn't stop there.
EVs are less demanding on the earth and that ought to be reason enough to make the switch. Electric Vehicles don't have an exhaust system, which means they have zero emissions. Since gas-controlled vehicles are large contributors to greenhouse gas buildup in the earth’s atmosphere, making the change to an electric vehicle can help add to cleaner air and a healthier planet. Another upside is that the maintenance for EVs are less expensive and frequent because they don't run on oil and they don't require oil changes or any maintenance work related to combustion engines.
The Drawbacks of EVs
Eco-driving refers to the practice of using a conventional vehicle in a way that reduces detrimental environmental impact. Accelerating moderately, and maintaining the appropriate speed limit not only reduce auto related injury and death, but they also reduce the CO2 released. Other beneficial practices include car-pooling, using public transit, planning more efficient routes or relocating to an urban area. Not only can these changes help to create a more environmentally sound future, but they provide an opportunity to save some money. (For a larger scale statement, consider lobbying for government regulations that would encourage eco-driving practices. This would work towards making environmentally friendly decisions easy and natural.)
The Benefits of Electric Cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) have made enormous innovative steps since they were first introduced, and they're more popular than ever before. However, some drivers are still reluctant to change from traditional gas-powered cars. This is part of misconceptions that EVs still suffer the same shortcomings they did in years prior. While electric vehicles do, in fact, have their drawbacks, there are likewise impressive advantages to owning one. The advantages of owning an EV seemingly exceed any cons, from spending less cash over the long haul to making fewer outings to the fix shop. Also, it doesn't stop there.
EVs are less demanding on the earth and that ought to be reason enough to make the switch. Electric Vehicles don't have an exhaust system, which means they have zero emissions. Since gas-controlled vehicles are large contributors to greenhouse gas buildup in the earth’s atmosphere, making the change to an electric vehicle can help add to cleaner air and a healthier planet. Another upside is that the maintenance for EVs are less expensive and frequent because they don't run on oil and they don't require oil changes or any maintenance work related to combustion engines.
The Drawbacks of EVs
Obviously, nothing is perfect and electric vehicles are no exception. There are a couple of factors to consider before signing on the dotted line at the car dealership. Despite the fact that EVs range extends is always improving, it's still one of the main reasons why consumers struggle with deciding between conventional and electric vehicles. On a full charge, most electric models are restricted to a range from 60 to 100 miles, however, a small range of models can go somewhere in the range from 200 and 300 miles for each charge.
Compared to the little time it takes to fill up a conventional car at the gas station, recharging EVs take more of an investment for charging time. Most electric vehicles take about four hours to become fully charged, and there are some that take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours. Be that as it may, there are packs accessible that supposedly cut the charging time in half. In the event that you've never looked for an EV, it may come as a shock just how expensive they can be priced. The more affordable EVs start from the $30,000 - $40,000 range. The more luxurious models move into the $80,000s and continue to go up. Until we come to a point where technology advances become less expensive, consumers should expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000 more for electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicles Matter
Compared to the little time it takes to fill up a conventional car at the gas station, recharging EVs take more of an investment for charging time. Most electric vehicles take about four hours to become fully charged, and there are some that take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours. Be that as it may, there are packs accessible that supposedly cut the charging time in half. In the event that you've never looked for an EV, it may come as a shock just how expensive they can be priced. The more affordable EVs start from the $30,000 - $40,000 range. The more luxurious models move into the $80,000s and continue to go up. Until we come to a point where technology advances become less expensive, consumers should expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000 more for electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicles Matter
As we know, climate change is happening. The scientific evidence of rapid climate change has many factors. The planet’s average surface temperature has risen almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century. There has been an 8-inch sea level rise in the last century. In the last two decades, it has nearly doubled and will continue if we do not change our ecological footprint. Earlier stated in the article, another thing people can do is purchase a low emission vehicle. Yes, there are benefits and drawbacks to making that investment, but in the long run, we are all improving emissions put into the environment by making that change!
Critique
Critique
At the beginning of our blog post, reference is made to the most recent Climate Report by the U.S government, which claims that climate change is a real phenomenon and people everywhere throughout the United States are suffering from its effects. By referencing this particular claim, and the report referring to climate change as an immediate and serious threat, we want to elicit concern and show our readers that this is happening close to them and not just far away in the Antarctic.
Effectiveness knowledge is used in various sections of our post to notify readers of the many ways they can reduce their CO2 emissions. We point out to readers that actions from individual behaviors constitute more harmful CO2 emissions than from the industry sector. This illustrates that when individual actions are multiplied, they do make a significant difference. Effectiveness knowledge is also used when we describe to our readers the efficiency and how-to of participating in eco-driving practices. In a sense, all actions mentioned in the blog, whether they be environmentally positive or detrimental are taken in self-interest. Notifying the readers that money can be saved by certain actions is in actuality a form of using an act of self to serve the good of the public; saving money for one person can contribute to the overall public interest.
The short reference to lobbying for pro- eco-driving regulations suggest implementing a green default. Social norms can be utilized to encourage more people to adopt CO2 reducing practices. We allude to eco-driving practices and the purchasing of electric cars as social norms, by saying that many people are reducing their individual CO2 emissions by adopting those practices.
Political ideology and partisanship are important sources of difference between those that agree or disagree that the Earth is getting warmer due to human activity. The Standard EPA view done in 2017, underestimates how individuals make choices to reduce emissions. We’ve seen that there are many effects of global warming. From extreme weather to droughts to the sea level rise, and so much more happening all around the globe. As Scott stated, “it's not easy for humans to think green.”
Group Project Bonus Option
Effectiveness knowledge is used in various sections of our post to notify readers of the many ways they can reduce their CO2 emissions. We point out to readers that actions from individual behaviors constitute more harmful CO2 emissions than from the industry sector. This illustrates that when individual actions are multiplied, they do make a significant difference. Effectiveness knowledge is also used when we describe to our readers the efficiency and how-to of participating in eco-driving practices. In a sense, all actions mentioned in the blog, whether they be environmentally positive or detrimental are taken in self-interest. Notifying the readers that money can be saved by certain actions is in actuality a form of using an act of self to serve the good of the public; saving money for one person can contribute to the overall public interest.
The short reference to lobbying for pro- eco-driving regulations suggest implementing a green default. Social norms can be utilized to encourage more people to adopt CO2 reducing practices. We allude to eco-driving practices and the purchasing of electric cars as social norms, by saying that many people are reducing their individual CO2 emissions by adopting those practices.
Political ideology and partisanship are important sources of difference between those that agree or disagree that the Earth is getting warmer due to human activity. The Standard EPA view done in 2017, underestimates how individuals make choices to reduce emissions. We’ve seen that there are many effects of global warming. From extreme weather to droughts to the sea level rise, and so much more happening all around the globe. As Scott stated, “it's not easy for humans to think green.”
Group Project Bonus Option
This project was completed by an interdisciplinary team. Amanda (Environmental and Sustainability Studies BA, Marketing Minor), Meghan (Environmental and Sustainability Studies BS) and Micah (Human Development and Family Studies BA, Consumer and Community Studies BS).
References
Barkenbus, J. (2010). Eco-driving: An overlooked climate change initiative. Energy Policy, 38(2), 762-769.
DeWeerdt, S. (2017, April 11). The key to convincing people to buy electric cars is clean energy. Retrieved November 27, 2018, from http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2017/04/the-key-to-convincing-people-to-buy-electric-cars-is-clean-energy/
The Fourth National Climate Report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program( 2018, November) : https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/1/
References
Barkenbus, J. (2010). Eco-driving: An overlooked climate change initiative. Energy Policy, 38(2), 762-769.
DeWeerdt, S. (2017, April 11). The key to convincing people to buy electric cars is clean energy. Retrieved November 27, 2018, from http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2017/04/the-key-to-convincing-people-to-buy-electric-cars-is-clean-energy/
The Fourth National Climate Report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program( 2018, November) : https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/1/
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