To think that cars are the biggest cause of climate change?

[malificent7]

I didn't learn to drive till I was 30 as I was concerned about the effects of cars on global warming. Everyone thought I was mad...however now that climate change is a hot topic i wonder how many people still feel that driving isn't damaging to the planet?
Then there are the car accidents, roads are an eyesore.
I mean I drive as I live in the country but I kind of hate it too.

No, honestly they're not. They contribute of course. But it's part of a tactic - we try and manage it with micro changes like cars, food etc ,meanwhile the govt that needs to legislate or regulate the big companies that produce most of the emissions is doing what, exactly?

China

I think it’s actually deforestation. We’ve changed the earth massively and must have upset the balance of the atmosphere.

I don't understand the not learning till you were 30 thing, what did you do before to get around?

@hamstersarse

China

And America.

Apparently wild boar feral pigs release more C02 than over a million cars.

Cars contribute approximately 20%
So they are a major contributor to global warming

as in why did you decide to drive at 30 if you are worried about climate change. Could you not just do what you did pre 30?

I think it’s actually deforestation. Agreed and poaching stops wildlife spreading seeds naturally for more trees. Lifes natural planters being hunted down and killed.

Lots of things are contributing, cars are definitely a problem but not the biggest one.

Animal agriculture, and millions of people who don’t realise the damage they are doing / thoughtless people are big contributors in my opinion anyway.

So what happened at 30 to make you decide, “Nah, fuck the planet”?

@hamstersarse hate to see this banded around. Yes that’s true they also have the biggest population on the planet and are producing goods for all of us. The device you used to type that comment was made in China in full or in part. It sounds completely ignorant and pushes the blame to another country when it is fuelled by consumption all over the West.

Meat

Growing crops to feed animals to then eat is the worst conversion of energy ever.

Biggest cause of global warming is animal agriculture.

Before you get all high and mighty about vehicles, what are you eating?

@duckyla

I don't understand the not learning till you were 30 thing, what did you do before to get around?

Eh. I don't understand why out of this, youre confused by people not driving. I learnt at 28 and my dp is learning at 30. We've lived in city centres and next to work for a long while, so no need to drive for a long time. It's pretty normal.

Overpopulation

@Wheresmrpenguin But the OP said she didn't learn as she was concerned about climate change not that she didn't need to?

China depends heavily on coal to generate electricity.

Cars are definitely one of the major GHG sources that we could learn to live without - in big cities anyway. Their impact on the environment generally is huge in terms of motorways, parking etc.

A lot of remaining ghg come from farm animals (could be reduced), space heating and cooling (improve insulation), and other forms of transportation (tricky).

I agree OP, I have a car with a huge petrol engine and I feel terrible for it!! But I love driving it.

Very selfish indeed I know, and I agree with your post, I'm not being sarcastic either but I just struggle giving up my luxuries tbh.

One day I'll change.

@Wheresmrpenguin you didn't drive because you lived in a city centre & as you said you didn't need too. It's completely normal but I wouldn't say it's motivated by climate change concerns just the fact you don't need too. Not sure why you're confused by my point 🤷🏻‍♀️

Luckily cruise numbers have decreased dramatically this last year:

'Commercial cruise lines are some of the world's worst polluters, and Carnival is near the top of that list according to a study of European cruise line operators. Research found that Carnival alone is responsible for almost 10 times as much sulfur dioxide release as all 260 million of Europe's cars combined.'

Our cities are designed around cars. This needs to change; active transport should be given priority.

I think it's fashion. Horrifying stats

People are so defensive about their own contribution - so so tempting always to push the problem elsewhere. Of the things each of us consume/use ourselves, cars and the fuel they use are a huge part of the problem. Yes we can blame Shell/BP and Ford/Toyota - but the problem is still cars. And over-consumption in general, but subtract the cars and excess travel and for a million reasons that falls too.

Clothing is a huge proportion for climate change due to the manufacturing process and throw away fashion.

[quote cinammonbuns]@hamstersarse hate to see this banded around. Yes that’s true they also have the biggest population on the planet and are producing goods for all of us. The device you used to type that comment was made in China in full or in part. It sounds completely ignorant and pushes the blame to another country when it is fuelled by consumption all over the West.[/quote]
But China also relies heavily on coal for power, with minimal nods to changing that.

They are also massively overproducing and dumping engineering metals to drive the price down with the ultimate aim of reducing competition (ie put people out of business). Steel dumping is the obvious one in the press a few years ago, but it has never stopped. It also occurs with aluminium, magnesium, titanium, nickel alloys and is seriously fucking up supply chains. That over production is also hugely energy intensive.