Have you hugged your car today?

Auto emissions still on rise

The growing number of cars and trucks on US highways are an increasing source of emissions and gases linked to global warming, and their contribution continues to rise, according to a study issued Wednesday. The new report by Environmental Defense, a consumer group based in New York, found that cars and light trucks continue to emit more carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, despite advances in technology and growing sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. The emergence of some fuel-sipping car and light vehicle models with lower harmful emissions has been more than offset by greater numbers of vehicles, motorists driving more miles, and more sales of pickups and SUVs. "The situation is not getting better," said John DeCicco, senior fellow at Environmental Defense and author of the Automakers' Corporate Carbon Burdens report. "In fact, it's getting worse. Much worse." The report analyzed US sales at the six biggest automakers in the US: General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Based on the total carbon output of all vehicles sold, GM and Ford are the worst global warming polluters, the report said. But in terms of which companies are increasing carbon dioxide output the most, Nissan and Ford rank number one and two respectively. Kevin Mills, director of Environmental Defense's Clean Car Campaign, said cars and light trucks are the fastest growing source of global warming emissions in the US. The findings underscore the need for the country to address global warming pollution, Mills said.(Detroit News 050811)

Check out Mark Fiore's hilarious cartoons -- This one is 'The Great U.S. Energy Vacation'.