Going Green Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Going Green - Essay Example As a result, temperatures within the atmosphere rise, albeit gradually, to cause global warming. The United States Environmental protection agency has listed five gases as composing the greenhouse gases. These are Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, February 2012). Although carbon dioxide is also produced naturally, it (and the other gases) is primarily produced through human activities, especially ‘†¦ through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions’ (Environmental Protection Agency, February 2012). This is where automobile manufacture becomes relevant. Green house gases are emitted, not only during the production of cars, but also during their use; i.e. while on the road. This calls for safer methods of production as well as designing ‘green cars’-those that emit less harmful gases or n one at all. Such are solar-powered or electric cars. 2. Reality Check Greenhouse emissions have been on the rise in the last couple of decades thanks to increased industrialization. They have risen â€Å"†¦ by 15 percent since 1990, reaching over 7000 metric tons in 2006.† (CQ Researcher, Feb. 29 2008, Pg 200). ... To curb the effects of global warming, governments, business organizations, activist groups as well as individuals have come out to advocate for more initiative and responsibility-more specifically in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the planet. The car industry is squarely on the spotlight over taking responsibility over greenhouse gases emissions, since it is arguably the chief consumer of fossil fuel products. 3. The Great Controversy Green products are not costly; neither do they hurt the economy, as some people may have claimed. The problem with such an argument is that the proponents are looking at short term profits and benefits, which may not be immediately realized in the green market. They look at the rate of input versus output; and it looks like a losing game, at least from face value. For instance, relying on solar energy in car production means that we can only reap benefits during the day only- and closing shop at sun set. This means that a 24 hour eco nomy is not possible, and therefore profits may reduce by half. However, this may be the only [greatest] disadvantage with solar energy. On the other hand, we may benefit from a 24-hour economy driven by coal and gas, but we will begin counting our losses sometime soon down the road. Green house effects may be slow, but they are certain. They cause ripple effects that result to consequences that eventually cost more money to mitigate. For instance, more toxic gases are emitted to the atmosphere through industrial wastes; the mean global temperatures rise over time; more ice melts causing dams, rivers and lakes to swell and burst; floods sweep over businesses, animals and humans; more money is required to rebuild the dams, compensate the affected