The manufacturing and use of cars damages the environment but their popularity is increasing. Why is this? How could this be controlled?

Even though both production and

car

use increase pollution, the auto industry continues to expand.

This

is because developing nations now have greater disposable income and governments can limit the resultant environmental damage through regulation. The main cause underlying an increasing number of cars is growth in developing countries. Ownership in developing countries peaked decades ago and many European nations

in particular

are now adopting greener modes of transport.

However

, in developing nations, cars are seen as a status symbol that boost self-esteem and serve a practical travel purpose. Coupled with increased per capita GDP, the boom in

car

ownership is unsurprising.

For example

, a growing middle class in Vietnam was driving up purchases of foreign automobiles dramatically over the

last

decade. The demand is so great that

last

year a Vietnamese company introduced the

first

domestically produced

car

.

This

same trend is replicated around the world in developing countries. The most impactful response is from the

government

. Consumers will continue to buy cars but the

government

has control over a range of possible environmental protective measures.

For example

, there could be stricter laws related to emission standards.

This

would cut down on the average amount of pollution from individual cars and collectively make a huge difference. Another measure would be to discourage

car

ownership by taxing cars heavily and improving the quality of public transportation. A good example of

this

would

also

be in Vietnam where there is a 200% tax on cars and the

government

is building the world’s most expensive subway system in Ho Chi Minh City. Individuals are unlikely to change their behaviour in mass, so it falls to policy makers to dissuade citizens through proactive reforms and policies. In conclusion, more cars can be explained by rising incomes globally and pragmatic solutions come from

government

regulation. If taken seriously, the heavy environmental toll

of

Suggestion

on

cars can be curbed.