Millions told to avoid using their cars (2024)

FAQs

Millions told to avoid using their cars? ›

Millions of residents in Texas have been told to avoid using their cars in an effort to improve air quality. It is the second time this month Texas residents have been asked to avoid using their cars.

Vehicle pollutants harm our health and contain greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Burning gasoline and diesel fuel creates harmful byproducts like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and formaldehyde. In addition, vehicles emit carbon dioxide, the most common human-caused greenhouse gas.

The authors noted that only 23.5% of millionaires owned a car from the current model year and only 55% of millionaires owned a car newer than 2 years old. Half of doctors aren't even millionaires. In fact, a large percentage of doctors in their 30s still have a negative net worth.

How much carbon dioxide pollution typically comes from each car? The average U.S. driver purchases 522 gallons of gasoline per year, adding 5.22 tons of carbon dioxide to our atmosphere.

Pro: You could save money on car costs

If you elect to go without a personal vehicle, you'll save money on a whole laundry list of expenses, such as: Gas. Parking fees. Tolls.

But in 2024, the country's legendary love story with the automobile appears to have reached a crucial point of potential no return, as cars have become unaffordable to millions. Life has generally gotten more expensive in the aftermath of the pandemic, including the cost of cars, car insurance and car repairs.

While some wealthy Americans drive luxury vehicles, an Experian Automotive study found that a whopping 61% of households making more than $250,000 don't drive luxury brands. Instead, they drive less showy cars, like Hondas, Toyotas and Fords, per Ramsey.

“There are a lot of Toyotas and Acuras in rich people's garages. Their focus is on a reliable vehicle, not a showy one.” “Some wealthy individuals prioritize practicality and functionality over luxury,” said Loretta Kilday, senior attorney and spokesperson for Debt Consolidation Care.

Why are SUVs bad for the environment? ›

The I.E.A. report noted that the average S.U.V. consumes about twenty per cent more oil than the average medium-sized car does to drive the same number of miles. Oil use translates directly into CO₂, so the average S.U.V. is also releasing twenty per cent more carbon per mile driven.

CO is produced whenever a material burns. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are more likely to have CO problems Common sources of CO in our homes include fuel-burning appliances and devices such as: Clothes dryers. Water heaters.

Highway vehicles release about 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere each year—mostly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂)—contributing to global climate change. Each gallon of gasoline you burn creates 20 pounds of GHG. That's roughly 5 to 9 tons of GHG each year for a typical vehicle.

The report found newly registered luxury cars produce the most CO2 per car. Fast cars, big yachts, and multiple homes make the wealthy much larger contributors to global warming.

Newer vehicles generally emit less pollution and use less gasoline, while older vehicles generally emit more pollution and use more gasoline.

Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

The smog, carbon monoxide, and other toxins emitted by vehicles are especially troubling because they leave tailpipes at street level, where humans breathe the polluted air directly into their lungs.

By choosing alternative modes of transportation such as biking, walking or taking public transit, you're doing your part to reduce carbon emissions, curb air pollution, conserve resources and reduce congestion on your city's roadways.

While some of the emissions are associated with the initial extraction of oil, the majority are emitted as fuel is burned off while driving. By reducing the amount of car travel, we can greatly reduce global emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.