Andrew Simms, a policy director and head of the Climate Change Program for the New Economics Foundation in England, presents his argument about the impact SUV’s have on our roadways, and the air we breathe. “Would You Buy a Car That Looked like This? “. The title alone gives great insight on what the article is going to be about, (vehicles). “They clog the streets and litter the pages of weekend colour *supplements. Sport utility vehicles or SUV’s have become badges of middle class aspiration” (Simms 542). Simms opening statement not only gives his opinion on how SUV’s are the new trend, but he also paints a picture of what we see every day driving down our roadways. Simms also compares the tobacco industry’s gap between image and reality …show more content…
(Simms 542). Simms solution on labeling cars helps readers visualize a big warning sign on an SUV; in other words, an eye sore. Also it gives readers a preview of his solution.
Simms makes an important move, “1.2 million people across the world are killed in road crashes each year and 50 million injured” (qtd. in Simms 542). This fact shows that Simms acknowledges that car crashes result in many deaths a year; however SUV’s by almost any measurements, are more dangerous than cars. Next Simms provides more supporting facts. “People driving or riding in a sport utility vehicle in 2003 were nearly 11 percent more likely to die in an accident than people in cars” (qtd. in Simms 542). Simms also states that due to the size of an SUV, they suffer from greater rear view blind spots. Which he stated may account for the number of parents who killed their children by running over them. These strong facts speak for themselves; and bring an emotional appeal to the reader. A child dying in any circumstance promotes sadness.
Next Simms acknowledges our rights with a quote “In a free society, men and women ultimately have the right within the law to choose their own lifestyle, even when it may damage their own health. “But, he added. “People do not have the right to damage the health of others.” (qtd. In Simms 542). Then he also stated that when it comes to choosing cars neither the industry nor the self-absorbed consumer can be trusted to do the right thing. This
Gas mileage, carbon footprint, these are phrases you might hear someone say if they oppose large SUV's. However after considering Hochswender's article on the matter, I find countless people who oppose the usage of SUV's rather hypocritical and close minded. For starters, to judge a person at first sight is juvenile. Therefore no matter if it's your appearance, clothing or what you drive, it's not wise to judge a book by it's cover. Everyone's situation varies, there may be a reason they dress the way they do, also they may have a justifiable purpose for driving a SUV. Consequently you don't become a awful person or component of a problem by the vehicle you choose to drive. The social and economic climate in the middle east is not determined
Cars play a major role in almost every action movie, rivaling the star power of the actors themselves. Whether it be a high speed chase or an intense race, the actor’s choice of car is usually an Audi, BMW, or Ferrari. These scenes showcase the car’s speed, sleek design and fancy features, allowing the viewer to imagine themselves in the vehicle. While almost everyone at some point in their life dreams of owning such a car, it is simply not a reality for most people. Toyota’s commercial, “The Longest Chase,” attempts to change the perception the vast majority of car consumers have of the Prius. Once a vehicle known only for being environmentally friendly and excellent gas mileage, is now the unlikely subject of a high speed chase. Toyota highlighted features the Prius is known for, namely gas mileage, while marketing speed and luxury. While creative, the commercial does not fulfill its purpose due to the seemingly offensive emotional uses as well as its duplicitous ethical appeals.
Chapter 6, “The Burden of History: Expectations Past and Imperfect” from Kirsch’s book, The Electric Vehicle and the Burden of History, focuses on the problem of automobiles in the modern day. Kirsch states that internal combustion engines release greenhouse gasses, which harm the environment. Each individual contributes to air pollution
The article, “Automakers Prepare for an America That’s Over the Whole Car Thing,” by Neal E. Boudette, was published on December 22, 2016 in The New York Times. Boudette informs the reader about how “novel” technologies are creating new alternative ways for people, particularly in urban settings, that commutes to different places. Young Americans consider owning a car unnecessary, or a necessary expense. Carmakers are looking at a future where cars will play a little role, or no role at all, in many people’s daily routines. Thus, many industries are in the process of
Every day, millions of Americans turn on the engines of their cars and drive to school or work. What these people do not realize is that the vehicles they operate greatly pollute the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent website post, “Environmental Impacts from Automobiles”,
Once families could afford two cars because of the lowering price, many women could now drive. African Americans could now drive as well; putting them at the wheel gave them new respect. The car also enables people to make a decision to go somewhere and leave immediately, no more waiting for a bus or a train. Cars gave Americans the freedom to move to other cities and start new lives. Although some people say that cars are dangerous because of accidents, there are many accidents involving trains, planes, and buses as well. Some may continue with “Cars are polluting the environment,” But other forms of transportation pollute just as much as
In recent years, major cities across the globe have developed innovative new methods of transportation that could revolutionize the way humans travel and ultimately replace automobiles throughout the industrialized world. Many supporters of this movement believe restricting the use of cars will have a positive impact on society as a whole. Some people believe that taking away automobiles is preposterous given the gravity of which citizens depend on them; although true, replacing cars would have significant benefits throughout society that would outweigh this consequence and ultimately create a new global social order. Restricting cars in cities and encouraging alternate methods of transportation would reduce humans’ carbon footprint, make cities
People need freedom, but there comes a point when some freedoms interfere with public health. When people drive cars with high emissions, those emissions go into the atmosphere, which contribute to air pollution and is bad for public health. One way to reduce this pollution is
Americans have always been interested in automobiles. One piece of evidence to prove this would be how children cannot wait to turn 16 and get their driver's license and their first car. This is always an exciting time because most teenagers are in the market to buy a new vehicle. If they aren’t, their parents are in the market to purchase a new or used vehicle for their newly licensed drivers. Teenagers seem competitive in who has the best vehicle in some way; whether is comes to have the best car out of all their friends and others may just want good gas mileage to get to school, home, and work. Whatever the case is, we always think our vehicles are better in some ways than other vehicles on the road. Whether
“The SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is one of the most popular types of vehicle to both own and drive. Last year, SUVs and minivans outsold conventional cars for the first time. However, the SUV is increasingly coming under attack for its fuel economy, emissions standards and safety record. Vehicle fuel efficiency across the US is now at its lowest level since 1980. However, former California governor Gray Davis signed legislation requiring the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles. This includes SUVs. California accounts for 13 percent of the nation's auto market, so manufacturers of cars, SUVs and trucks are sure to comply with the
You have agreed to buy a new Subaru from a dealer. The down payment you will need to make on the new car is $9,400, which lets you take out a loan with manageable (but steep) monthly payments. You are low on ready cash, so if you can't come up with the down payment by selling your Volkswagen Jetta, you will have to borrow it at prime plus 5% interest. You are supposed to pick up the Subaru first thing tomorrow morning, so you want to sell the Jetta today.
While we have done, and continue to do, our part in ensuring automobile emissions are as limited as possible, automobile manufacturers have failed to make significant strides in making their vehicles more fuel efficient. For example, during the OPEC oil crisis there was a push to make fuels more efficient to combat the limited fuel resources, this pushed the average miles per gallon of a vehicle into the twenties, where it remains nearly forty years later. Here at Royal Dutch Shell, we encourage and are willing to work with automobile manufacturers to ensure that their products continue to become increasingly fuel efficient. Additionally, the choices of consumers ultimately determine the course of action. If consumers place higher value on larger vehicles, as they continue to do, then the larger, less fuel efficient vehicles will be the
The sports utility vehicles harm the environment more then cars do. It takes more gas to fill up these vehicles, and the big engines consume it as if they’re where no
Some people believe that the benefits of the automobile far outweigh the consequences. These people
As the United States unite in the global effort to monitor the use and waste of energy, fuel efficient or hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius has dominated the market over the SUV’s who once adored every American driveway. With much doubt, in 2004, the Prius has become the leading selling vehicle in America. The sleek design has caught the eye and pockets of many Americans who prefer the “gas sipper” over the “gas guzzler.” (Kotler & Armstrong, Principles of Marketing, 2010)