First celebrated in March 21, 1970; what started as a celebration of the start of the march/ Vernal Equinox, which basically means the start of Spring has turned into a celebration of the natural wonders of mother earth and more recently into a day to reflect on the amount of damage we have inflicted into our planet.
Among the damage we have inflicted in the amount of greenhouse gases created when we use the automobile....
The 450 million vehicles on the road today account for half of the world's total consumption, generate nearly one fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and have pervasive effects on land use and air quality. Personal transportation (i.e., home use) is responsible for 30 to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, 33% of toxic water pollution, and over 45% of toxic air emissions. In addition, fueling passenger cars accounts for more than one quarter of world oil consumption.
The manufacture of an automobile consumes enormous amounts of energy and raw materials, including 1,500 - 3,500 pounds (679-1,585 kgs) of steel, 200-1,000 pounds (91-453 kgs) of plastic and composite synthetic materials, and 120-200 pounds (54-91 kgs) of glass, aluminum and other materials. A single car contains 4-10 times as much plastic as the average person is likely to consume in a year. The manufacture of the average car generates nearly 27 tons (12,000 kgs) of waste. As a result of car manufacture, over 4 tons (1,812 kgs) of carbon and nearly 500 pounds (227 kgs) of ordinary pollutants are created.
The Singapore Environment Council and the National Environment Agency will launch Green Transport Day on the 15th of April 2005. Green Transport Day aims to highlight environmental problems associated with car use, to promote more environmentally friendly motoring habits and to encourage otherwise regular motorists to try alternative means of transport such as buses, the MRT, cycling, walking, and car pooling. This year, the Green Transport Exhibition, held at Lido Shaw House from 15-24Apr 05, will highlight eco-friendly transport arrangements that will help Singaporeans save money while maintaining their mobility.
For more info pls logon to the Singapore Environment Council Green Transport Day.
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