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Alex Cook
Government
October 19, 2015
Mrs. Honey
Mock Congress Research Paper
Emission reduction from automobiles has been an issue because of the danger
to the environment and the inhabitants of the world. Emissions are pollutants caused
from sources such as smog from cars and trucks that contribute to diseases such
Asthma. This is devastating to those affected by diseases similar then this because
pollution roughly affects one hundred million people. A case study was performed by
NASA Langley Research center in pollution prevention in Hampton, Virginia. The study
involved three thousand nine hundred a facility meeting the standards of the
Environmental Management System, to improve efficiency and produce less. The
conclusions of the study did not reach the desired goal but did substantially reduce their
energy use and make the facility more efficient.(deq.virginia.gov, 2014) Americans are
estimated to use about twenty five percent of the world's resources while only having
approximately five percent of the population. Since such a large amount of resources
are being consumed by Americans there is a twenty percent increase in risk for death.
We need a law or program that will help America and the international world by reducing
national energy use, pollution rates will lower, and incentives will be provided for
businesses and individuals to comply with this law.
A program or law with proper enactment will reduce national energy use through
the reduction of fuel consumption. In 2013, the EPA found that the fuel economy was at
an all time high. Fuel economy though has improved and is continuing to improve and is
up five miles per gallon since 2013. This law will encourage and help improve these
already increasing rates for a more productive global fuel economy. The number of car
models, where at least one variant has a combined city/ highway label fuel economy of

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at least 30 mpg, more than tripled, and the number of car models at forty mpg or more
have increased from three to twenty six. (EPA.gov, 2015) This relates to the law
because, it shows how important of a topic it is to those living in the United States.
Biking is also an important part in reducing the amount of fuel driven vehicles on roads.
There are several bike programs such as The Folding Bike Solution to help reduce
fuel and energy use while increasing awareness for space and efficient methods of
transportation. Folding bikes also only rarely suffer the indignity of being stolen,
because for the most part, the bike does not leave your sight. (Transalt.org, 2015) This
relates to the law because it solves a solution that would deter people from bike riding to
work by making them easier and more available. Fuel consumption will therefore reduce
as more people bike to work and it becomes easier for them to do so. Energy use
through fuel consumption will decrease with the availability of hybrid and green cars as
well bike programs, which will lower pollution rates.
Along with increased energy uses and programs, this law will also decrease
vehicle pollution with the increase of hybrid and electric cars on the road. Pollution is
harmful to many environments and organisms including humans, lakes, and increases
risks and deaths for diseases. Pollution increases the risk of lung disease by twenty
percent, affects nearly one million people globally, and costs hundreds of thousands of
dollars to clean up. Approximately forty percent of the lakes in America are too polluted
for fishing, aquatic life, or swimming. (Dosomething.org, 2015) This is harmful to
aquatic life because they do not have the space to reproduce which affects human life
because a potential food source is lost, potentially forever. This law will help these
animals because with the reduction of pollution there will be fewer particles in the air to
settle into waterways. Americans make up an estimated five percent of the worlds
population. However, the US uses 25% of the worlds resources - burning up nearly
twenty five percent of the coal, twenty six percent of the oil, and twenty seven percent of
the worlds natural gas. (Dosomething.org, 2015) Americans are some the highest

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consumers in fossil fuels which increases the amount of pollution in the air but, the law
will provide several options to reduce the amount of fossil fuels and consumption. Fossil
fuels and pollution are a major problem, both nationally and internationally so,
incentives will be given to help people turn away from pollution filled and energy costing
vehicles.
Incentives are important because they offer tax breaks or money for businesses
or individuals that follow these laws rules, regulations and guidelines. Tax incentives
have been used in varying degrees for similar projects to pollution and hybrid cars as
well. The "Driving Alternatives" vehicle rebate program has allocated $ 1.8 million
toward vehicle incentive grants for qualifying alternative fuel vehicles, including plug-in
hybrids. Grants of up to $ 5,000 will be made to consumers who purchase or lease such
vehicles. (ncsl.org, 2008) The law would easily alter and change the already set in
place incentives in order to make them more appealing and widespread nationally. By
2015, ZEVs should make up at least 10% of fleet light-duty vehicle (LDV) purchases
and by 2020, at least twenty five percent of fleet LDV purchases should be ZEVs.
(AFCD.com, 2015) The proposed law would add incentives to these already in place to
make these vehicles easier to purchase and more widely available. Though pollution
and energy are a major topic, some believe that they this is unimportant is not impactful
on the environment.
Many people argue that these tactics will not work, and that fossil fuels are a big
part in climate change. Pollution has not always been the main source of debate around
the changing environment, it was global warming notoriously the hole in the ozone layer
and the melting polar ice caps. In an article written for CBS News global warming and
climate change debates are discussed through several writers.The authors' main
figures are based on the premise that carbon dioxide emissions will continue to rise at
the current trajectory. But countries across the world are pledging to control if not cut
carbon pollution as international leaders prepare for a summit on climate change in

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Paris later this year (CBS.com, 2015) Fossil fuels are already being reduced even
when global warming is considered to be the biggest threat to the global world.
Therefore, showing that reducing fossil fuels will improve all aspects of the world.
Another article written in the Tech Times argues that global warming is not affecting the
world only negatively. Goklany said that the estimated worth of global fertilization
impacts coming in from carbon dioxide is $140 billion a year, and this extra production
has provided assistance to hunger reduction and human health improvement.
(Techtimes.com, 2015) An effect of carbon dioxide, a part of global warming, actually
can help improve the world, so global warming is not as devastating as an issue.
Pollution is far more devastating and is not discussed as a possible positive force on the
world.
Through the decrease in pollution, national energy use, and incentives should be
given to promote the awareness of pollutants and harmful fossil fuels hurting the
environment. America uses 25% of resources internationally, creating large pollution
problems in the country as well internationally with the transportation system. The
increasing availability of pollution less cars and energy efficient vehicles makes the
world a more cleaner and easier place for people to live. The only way to change the
world, is to implement laws and to change people's perspective on the way pollution is
upheld.

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Work Cited
"11 Facts About Pollution." N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-pollution>.
"Air Pollution: Invisible Health Threat - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web.
22 Oct. 2015. <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34455338>.
"California Laws and Incentives for Electricity." N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC/CA>.
"The Folding Bike Solution." Transportation Alternatives. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct.
2015. <https://www.transalt.org/resources/foldingbikes>.
"Global Warming Isn't All That Bad: Scientists Say Agriculture Benefits From
Carbon Emission." Tech Times RSS. N.p., 14 Oct. 2015. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

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<http://www.techtimes.com/articles/94701/20151014/global-warming-isnt-all-thatbad-scientists-say-agriculture-benefits-from-carbon-emission.htm>.
"Green Vehicle Guide | US EPA." Green Vehicle Guide | US EPA. N.p., n.d. Web.
22 Oct. 2015. <http://www3.epa.gov/greenvehicles/index.htm>.
"Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel
Economy Trends: 1975 - 2014." N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm>.
N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/PollutionPrevention/PollutionPreventionC
aseStudies.aspx>.
"Smog Rating." Smog Rating. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.
<http://www3.epa.gov/greenvehicles/you/smog.htm>.
"State Incentives for Hybrid Vehicles." N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.ncsl.org/research/energy/state-incentives-for-hybrid-vehicles.aspx>.

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