The Problem With Cars
Cars are problematic. According to the Worldwatch Institute, there’s an average of 1 car per 12 people worldwide - except in the US, where the average is 1 car per 2 people. The EPA notes that every twenty years the amount of vehicle travel doubles. It’s a little out of hand. Suburban sprawl, working far from home, and driving alone instead of car-pooling has created a nightmare.
Honestly, cars are the original reason I moved to Humboldt six years ago. Portland, Oregon was becoming insane with traffic. Humboldt was a nice change - I don’t think the term ‘traffic jam’ exists there.
I did move back to the Northwest because my family is there. But now the traffic is even worse. If you go out between 7am-10am or 3pm-7pm you’re guaranteed to be stuck sitting in traffic, sometimes for up to two hours. Guess when I don’t go out and about? One study showed that people living in L.A collectively spend about 100,000 hours a day in traffic jams - that’s insane.
Can you relate?
It’s not just the stress caused by traffic that’s a problem either. A recent study points out that, “Worldwide, upward of 20,000 air-pollution-related deaths per year per degree Celsius may be due to greenhouse gas.” The EPA ranks transportation as the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. While the Clean Air Task Force reports that health research shows that “Diesel exhaust shortens the lives of 70,000 Americans each year,” which includes 3,000 lung cancer U.S. deaths a year.
Heath issues based on inactivity is another concern. People sitting in cars are not usually as healthy as people walking or biking. People are getting larger, eating on the run because there’s no time. Our kids see us do this and it becomes the norm to them. Sitting in cars, wasting time; it’s terrible.
Further reading:
No Escape From Diesel Exhaust: How to Reduce Commuter Exposure
Facts about Fine Particle Air Pollution
Well, that was cheery. Next post - solutions (I promise not so much the downer post).
What are some problems you have with cars? Or do you think cars are no problem at all? Let me know.
Tags: car_pooling, clean_air_task_force, contributor, degree_celsius, diesel_exhaust, greenhouse_gas, greenhouse_gases, health_research, humboldt, inactivity, lung_cancer, particle_air_pollution, portland_oregon, suburban_sprawl, traffic_jam, traffic_jams, vehicle_travel, wasting_time, worldwatch_instituteRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Toxic Stuff, Transportation
2 opinions for The Problem With Cars
Susan Donovan
Jan 24, 2008 at 12:37 am
Great post. I think one of the most innovative things out their to help with the traffic problem and with reducing greenhouses gases, and encouraging people to consider other modes of transportation is congestion pricing. But, people tend to think in a short-sighted manner about these options and political opposition is strong. Here in NYC there’s a good chance it could happen, they are already doing it in London with great success! When people see how well it could work for an American city I think other areas will consider it. The trouble is, in the US the cost of driving is heavily subsidized by the government:
http://community.livejournal.com/environment/773518.html
Great blog!
Jennifer
Jan 24, 2008 at 11:10 am
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Susan. You’re right, congestion pricing is a good way to deal with the problem but people are so opposed to it. At least, a large amount of folks seem to be. I think it could really improve the carpool situation especially though.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: