Cause-Effect

Impact of cars on the environment

         Our cars have an impact on the environment in terms of air quality, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, water quality, use of natural resources and noise. Read the topics below and arm yourself with powerful information to help you improve the relationship between your car and the environment.

Noise

Vehicles affect the environment by creating noise:

•      In urban environments, road traffic is the most important single source of community noise.
•      Noise from motor vehicles increases with the size and speed of the vehicle. Vehicle and type design and vehicle maintenance also affect noise levels. 

Use of resources

       The manufacture, operation and maintenance of vehicles impact the environment by using non-renewable resources such as: Metals, Petroleum (for plastics and fuel), other fossil fuels (e.g. coal for production of electricity).           

This affects the environment as follows:

• Recycling of used car parts and materials is important as it reduces the one-way flow of resources (mining - use - disposal). It also reduces the volume of material going to landfill, which is wasteful of valuable space and which can cause soil and water pollution over time. 

Water quality 

• Vehicles affect water quality because oil and particles get washed into creeks and rivers. In urban environments, run-off from roads goes into storm water drains. These feed into creeks and rivers, which eventually meet the sea.

Greenhouse gases   

• Cars produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Others include nitro-us oxide and methane. 

Air quality

• Even with increasing numbers of cars travelling longer distances, air pollution has been decreasing over time. This is due to a tightening of regulations affecting industry and vehicle emission standards. Emissions from motor vehicles are decreasing as newer cars with better emission controls replace older cars. Air pollution has negative health effects, especially for vulnerable people, including those with allergic and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, hay fever and sinusitis, and respiratory and lung conditions commonly associated with the elderly. Research suggests that certain air pollutants (e.g. benzene) are carcinogenic.