It seems that as Americans in today’s world, the most obvious way we can contribute to reducing our carbon footprint is to be more aware of the kind of car we purchase. Personally, I know of so many working adults who drive alone to their jobs. Many teenagers have to drive to school as well, especially if it’s far from their homes. For example, I commute over twenty miles daily to and from school in a car. Obviously, driving is inevitable in our daily lives, so by purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles, we can help to decrease the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. However, according to Automotive News, hybrid sales in the United States slipped 9.9% in 2008. Last year, hybrid sales made up 2.4% of the total vehicle market. In fact, Ford suffered the greatest decline in hybrid sales which dropped 22.2%. GM, on the other hand, enjoyed a tripling of its sales due to the introduction of the hybrid Escalade, Yukon, & Malibu. Overall, though, hybrids were not as commonly bought as other vehicles. The constant fluctuation of fuel price contributes to this trend as well as the economy. But if the public was constantly reminded of how much our vehicles affect the environment, people would be more aware of their decisions.
Cars, Cars, & More Cars
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