7 of 7

Write now Article Tools

For the sake of this article, allow me to make a couple of assumptions. First, if you are reading this, you are probably a car enthusiast. By that, I mean someone who has an affinity for cars beyond their ability to provide us with basic transportation. Second, the earth is getting warmer.
Let's look at the second premise first. We do not need to agree on how much warmer or how quickly this, as yet undefined, increase in temperature is happening. It is sufficient to state that it is a measurable amount and How much?' and How quickly?' is in dispute by people a lot more qualified to answer these questions than you and me.
Since we are car enthusiasts, and not scientists, how do we know the earth is getting warmer? As any 5th grader in northern Illinois can tell you, about 10,000 to 18,000 years ago just about everyplace north of here was covered in glaciers that were part of a huge polar ice cap. The thickness of the ice is estimated to be in excess of 1,000 meters. The glaciers left behind indisputable evidence of their existence in the form of lakes, valleys, large, anomalous rocks the size of cars and larger. Those vast sheets of ice are gone. They have retreated to higher latitudes and altitudes.
So, even as laymen, we know, without a doubt that the earth has gotten warmer over the last 10,000 years, and, in all probability, is continuing to do so.
There is is a lot of press today about cars (specifically the internal combustion engine) and the impact on global warming. Let me restate that. There is an ENORMOUS amount of negative press today concerning cars. If that's got you feeling guilty, this should make you feel a lot better. Just using common sense, you have to ask: What caused the earth to start warming 10,000 or so years ago?' We don't know. Just as we don't know the reason that there Ice Ages approximately every 20,000 years. There are theories, but those theories are hotly debated by the scientists. One thing we know for sure. Cars had nothing to do with it. Those huge sheets of ice started melting without one single car traveling so much as one mile.
There is plenty of measurable, scientific evidence that cars do not contribute significantly to global warming. Take heart, car enthusiasts, and rest easy. Common sense alone should tell you cars didn't start this.

Learn more about this author, Wayne Mckenzie.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why car enthusiasts shouldn't lose sleep over global warming?
We want to hear your view. Write now!