It is without question that human beings depend heavily on their environment, and the resources it provides. For motor vehicles to operate properly, humans rely on the natural resource of oil to fuel transportation in the modern day. It is important to understand the relationship between the needs of human beings and the environment because of the impact society has on the ecosystem. Further research needs to be conducted to identify additional ways to prevent negative environmental changes. Though we need the environment’s resources, we must find a way to make these resources sustainable.
It is imperative that society tries now rather than later to achieve sustainability, which will allow humans and nature to coexist peacefully. The way we consume and handle resources will have a lasting effect on generations to come. Sustainability can be measured by three factors, how much humanity takes in the form of natural resources, the rate that people and the planet can replace the spent resources, and what transpires with the assimilation and recycling of the waste products and pollution. There are a number of social and cultural reasons explaining why people consume as many resources as they do. According to Tufts University in Massachusetts, the average U.S. resident, in a year, consumes 275 pounds of meat, uses 635 pounds of paper, and uses energy equivalent to 7.8 metric tons of oil. Forty-five years ago, the average American ate 197 pounds of meat, used 366 pounds of paper, and used energy equivalent to 5.5 metric tons of oil. In the U.S., there is about 1 passenger car for every two people. These statistics demonstrate an obvious need for environmental reform, and when talking about motor transport specifically, a reform in terms of the way we use the natural resource of oil to fuel our travels.
By learning more about our carbon footprint, we can try to reduce the harmful effects on the environment. Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc. Factors that affect individual carbon footprint include; home energy, transportation, recycling and waste, food and diet. For example, the amount of gas and electricity an individual or household uses results in more carbon being released into the air, which means more depletion of the ozone layer that protects our planet from dangerous UV light. Reducing driving time, carpooling, and purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles can lessen the transportation emission factors. Benefits of recycling include preventing pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries, saves energy, and conserves natural resources. It is our individual responsibility to help reduce our carbon footprint to in turn help the planet and generations to come.
It is important to speak to an attorney about your legal rights if you are ever injured due to another person’s negligence. Contact Herrman & Herrman PLLC, located at 1201 Third St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78404 if you have any questions about a potential claim or would like to sit down for a consultation and discuss your issue.
*This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and should not be construed as legal advice.
