Environmental Issue Worksheet

Environmental Issue: Harmful Automobile Emissions in Austin, TX.

• Evaluate at least two strategies for promoting positive environmental behavior.

Concerning the issue of environmental dangers regarding the production of harmful vehicle exhaust emissions within the Austin, TX area there are a multitude of possible solutions of which may be readily employed. This environmental issue, as a whole, is by no means singular to the Austin area in that it most definitely encompasses far more than just the Texas region however the city of Austin, being one of the fastest growing in terms of population, is particularly susceptible to the dangers of environmental pollution via automobile engine exhaust emissions.

Naturally one of the best ways to reduce the harmful effects of vehicle exhaust emissions into the atmosphere is to promote practices which reduce emissions production. “Many cities around the world have developed comprehensive green plans or sustainability plans. Copenhagen has recently declared its intention to become an "ecometropole" with ambitious targets (50 percent of home to work trips made by bicycle by 2015)” (Beatley, 2009). A solution such as the previously described by Beatley would most definitely limit and ultimately reduce the production of harmful exhaust emissions into the Austin, TX environment. For example if more Austin citizens chose to employ the use of public transportation and or transportation not based on the use of internal combustion engines, such as bicycling or walking, the result would not be an elimination but a great reduction of harmful emissions release into the atmosphere.

Another proposed solution to this very important environmental issue would be not only increased production but increased availability of more energy efficient vehicles to those residing within the Austin area, i.e. bringing more efficient automobile dealers such as Smart Car to the Austin area. The effect of practices such as this is explained by...