Former senator John Edwards advises that the energy crises can be alleviated if Americans sacrifice their usage of sports utility vehicles (SUV’s) in favor of more fuel-efficient automobiles. This advisory should be legislated and made a requirement for some important reasons. The United States is the leader of the free world and should set an example. The United States contributes on a very large scale to the global emissions problem and should, therefore, take the initiative in reversing the problem.
As the leading country in the free world, Americans enjoy the comforts of luxurious cars, and these comforts come at the expense of the environment, especially as the many SUV’s being driven rarely cater to any specific needs of the driver. According to Edwards, America needs not only to drive more fuel-efficient cars, but “the nation needs to focus on being a leader in creating alternative energy” (Associated Press, 2007). America’s status of world leader can be a very powerful weapon, and it can also be a very powerful gift.It should be used for good in as many ways as we can—and legislating the reduction of SUV purchases is a first step that can go a long way toward saving our planet and improving the lives of all concerned.
The United States has been implicated as being one of the worst polluters on the planet and we as Americans have to fight against this reputation. Though we represent only 4% of the world’s population, we emit 25% of the world’s greenhouse gases (Associated Press, 2007).SUV’s are a major problem because they perform the same jobs as smaller cars yet with a significantly higher level of greenhouse gas emission. In light of the efforts made by Americans during the September 11, 2001 crisis, the world now knows that we are willing to make sacrifices. Let us make one more together and vote for legislation that will regulate the number of SUV’s bought and used within the United States.
Let us unite for a better nation and a better world.
