Cars and Humans
Photo by Boomer Jerritt
but contributes about 2% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Syphilis
which contribute to global warming. (Stats Canada)
• In 2005, slightly more than 23 tonnes of GHGs were emitted for each person in the country; this represents an 8% increase since 1990. To get an idea of how much that is, contemplate that one tonne of emissions would fill an ordinary two-storey, three-bedroom house. (Stats Canada)
• In 2005, Canadians emitted about 747 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent of GHGs to the atmosphere. Each megatonne would fill 1000 ordinary two-story, three-bedroom houses. (Stats Canada)
• Twenty-three per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by individuals and families. (Canadian Automobile Association)
• Light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs and small trucks) generate approximately 12% of Canada’s greenhouse gases. (Canadian Automobile Association)
• An average household with two mid-sized vehicles emits more than 20,000 pounds of CO2 a year. It takes 400 trees to absorb 20,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• The average yearly cost of operating a vehicle can be as high as $9,000 a year, or nearly $25 a day. (Canadian Automobile Association)
• SUVs put out 43% more global-warming pollutants (28 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon of gas consumed) and 47% more air pollution than the average car. (Bicycleuniverse.com)
• The number of motor vehicle registrations in Canada increased by 14% between 2000 and 2007, reaching more than 20 million vehicles. (Canadian Automobile Association)
• As the number of vehicles on the road has increased, the number of persons per vehicle has declined. In 1931, there were 8.6 persons on average per vehicle; since the mid 1980s there have been an average of 1.7. (Canadian Automobile Association)