Argument: Hybrids significantly reduce emissions, fight global warming

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“Global Warming & Your Vehicle Choice”. 26 Mar. 2006 – A gallon of gasoline weighs just over 6 pounds. When burned, the carbon in it combines with oxygen from the air to produce nearly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). By switching from a gas guzzler to a hybrid, you can literally save the earth a couple of tons of greenhouse gases.

• U.S. cars and light trucks together consume 8.2 million barrels of oil each day. This translates to more than 300 million metric tons of carbon that comes from our cars and trucks every year.
• Our transportation CO2 emissions are the largest source (about one-third) of our CO2 emissions, more than factories, homes, and all other sources.
• According to Environmental Defense, over the past decade and a half, all auto companies have increased their carbon burden by some degree or another. GM is the biggest global warmer, but Prius-producing Toyota has increased its output at an even higher rate.

Laurence O’Sullivan. “Hybrid Cars and Global Warming. Automobiles that Give Better Fuel Economy and Lower Greenhouse Gases”. 13 Apr. 2008 – Everyone on this planet has an effect on the environment, but the largest impact any one person tends to have on the environment, especially to greenhouse gas emissions, is through the use of an automobile. It is because of this that individuals have in their power the ability to make a significant contribution to the fight against global warming. Consumers using hybrid cars are becoming a growing force in the attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

“PSE&G buying hybrid vehicles to cut global warming emissions”. The Associated Press. 18 Sep. 2008 – The state’s largest utility on Tuesday said it would be buying hybrid vehicles to replace nearly one-third of its fleet over the next decade in an effort to reduce tailpipe emissions linked to global warming.

The hybrid vehicles, along with the use of alternative fuels and other changes, should reduce the carbon dioxide output of Public Service Electric & Gas by 81,000 tons over the period, the utility said.

PSE&G plans to replace 1,300 of its cars and light trucks with hybrids, which use a combination of gasoline and electricity for power.

“Hybrids’ Potential to Cut Construction Industry CO2 Emissions ‘Enormous’”. Site Prep. 12 June 2008 – New research shows that the construction equipment industry could reduce its carbon footprint by millions of tons a year and radically cut fuel consumption by a wholesale adoption of hybrid technology. That was the message of a recent speech given by Volvo Construction Equipment’s Arvid Rinaldo. The presentation, to a group of international business journalists in Sweden, said that continuing research into diesel-electric hybrids showed benefits in fuel reduction, CO2 emissions and performance significantly larger than previously stated.

“Hybrids are not a gimmick – construction equipment responds extremely well to the technology,” said Mr. Rinaldo. “We are facing the very real prospect of fuel savings up to 50%, significant performance increases and a reduction in CO2 emissions in the order of millions of tons a year, if adopted industry-wide.”

Jane Muder. “Hybrid Cars, Trucks, and SUVs Reduce CO2 Emissions, Help the Environment”. Ezine Articles – Global warming is a major issue in the United States today, and lately, it seems it’s been in the news more than ever. In 2008, a pivotal election year, every major or minor candidate running for office would be remiss not to address issues of fuel conservation, carbon emissions reduction, and alternative energy sources. New and used cars and trucks alike burn gasoline to enable motion, and gasoline burning is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Over time, the cumulative effects of global warming can include significant increases in Earth temperatures; the melting of polar ice caps, and severe weather incidents resulting in property destruction and losses of human life. One easy way to reduce CO2 emissions is to reduce the amount of fuel burned per day, per month, and per year.