Do you really need all that trunk space?

[AstridBoerner]

Do you really need all that trunk space? Growing demand for SUVs was the second-largest contributor to global CO2 emissions from 2010-2018, a new study finds.

The IEA reports that a growing preference for SUVs was the second-largest contributor to the global increase in CO2 emissions from 2010 to 2018. This puts SUVs ahead of all other sectors except for power generation, meaning SUVs pollute more than heavy industry (i.e. iron, steel, cement and aluminum), aviation and shipping.
If SUVs were a nation, they would rank seventh in the world for CO2 emissions! The dramatic shift towards SUVs has offset the emissions savings brought about by smaller cars and electric vehicles.
While the global car market has stalled in recent years, SUV sales are surging: 1 out of every 3 cars sold in Europe today is an SUV (the ratio is 1 out of every 2 cars in the US). This is dealing a serious blow to CO2-mitigation efforts across the globe.
Why do SUVs pollute so much? According to Florent Grelier from Transport & Environment, it’s quite simple: they are bigger, heavier, and their aerodynamics are poor, meaning they release much more CO2 than a smaller car.
So if you’re looking for ways to mitigate climate change, here is one: don’t buy an SUV.

Source: Getty Images (taken from The Guardian article, link here).

[Author]

Posts