*NEWS*CARBON EMISSIONS FROM U.S AUTO’S UP

[Anonymous]

Carbon Emissions From U.S. Automobiles Rising

WASHINGTON (Aug 05) – Emissions of heat-trapping carbon
dioxide from U.S. cars and trucks soared 25 percent between 1990 and 2003 as
more vehicles hit the roads and consumers flocked to gas-guzzling sport utility
vehicles, a U.S. environmental group said on Wednesday.

Despite efforts to introduce cleaner hybrid vehicles, the
biggest U.S. automakers have failed to reverse growing greenhouse gas emissions,
Environmental Defense said.

“Emissions keep rising despite factors that many people
think should lower them,” said John DeCicco of the group.

Vehicles made by General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.
led the increase in gases linked to global warming. Carbon dioxide emissions
from GM’s 2003 model year vehicles rose 6.3 percent to 6.4 million metric tons,
while Ford’s increased 7.7 percent to 5 million metric tons, Environmental
Defense said.

In 2003, emissions from cars and light trucks topped 317
million metric tons, up 25 percent from 1990, the group said, based on federal
government data.

Part of the 13-year increase is due to more vehicles on the
road. However, Americans also bought more sport utility vehicles and mini-vans
during that period, and they get fewer miles per gallon of gasoline.

Automakers say they are doing their part by offering
consumers new high-tech vehicles powered by cleaner hybrid, diesel and fuel cell
engines.

“The auto industry is offering a vast array of highly
fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles to the public, and those are available on
dealer lots today,” said Eron Shosteck at the Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers, which represents Detroit automakers and some foreign firms.

The United States is the world’s largest emitter of
greenhouse gases, which are linked to rising ocean tides, melting glaciers and
wildlife extinction.

The majority of American carbon emissions are from
coal-fired utilities and plants, but cars and light trucks accounted for about
20 percent of the total

[Author]

August 11, 2005 at 10:20 AM