IELTS Essay # 69 - More and more people buy or use cars and it makes an impact on the environment. Discuss the consequences of this trend. What could be a solution to the problem?

Essay # 69

More and more people buy or use cars and it makes an impact on the environment. Discuss the consequences of this trend. What could be a solution to the problem?

Cars consume a lot of energy before they ever make it to the open road. Automotive production leaves a giant footprint because materials like steel, rubber, glass, plastics, paints, and much more must be created before a new ride is ready to roll.

When a car’s engine is running, several different types of gases and particles are emitted that can have detrimental effects on the environment. Of particular concern to the environment is carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming. Some air pollutants and particulate matter from cars can be deposited on soil and surface waters where they enter the food chain, affecting the animals. These emissions are also responsible for acid rain.

Vehicles contain many different fluids, including motor oil, air-conditioning refrigerants, and brake fluids. In most cases, these fluids are toxic to humans and animals, and can pollute waterways if they leak from a vehicle or are disposed of incorrectly. Similarly, the end of a car’s life doesn’t mark the end of its environmental impact. Plastics, toxic battery acids, and other products may stay in the environment. 

Encouraging people to use more public modes of transportation, and also participating in carpooling can reduce pollution. Manufacturing more electric cars can also bring down the toxic emissions mentioned above to a great extent. Another solution, although far from perfect is using alternative fuels, but that still has to be researched upon. Finally, keeping your car properly maintained can make it run at optimal efficiency, making it consume the right amount of fuel and regulate the emissions.

To sum up, paying attention to the damage our cars are doing to the pollution can help us become conscious about using them. The don’t-carish attitude of people is mainly stopping us from applying the right solutions to curb this problem.

(300 words)