Another impact is land loss. In the US, more than 60,000 square miles have been paved over - including wetlands, scenic areas, and historic areas, not to mention farmland. Nearly half of our urban land is covered with asphalt. In response to regulation, efforts have been made to lessen automobile emissions. But any improvements have been offset by more miles and vehicles driven.
Motor vehicles have a major role in global warming, climate change, and ozone depletion.
Unchecked, they will have incalculable, perhaps incomprehensible, effects. Shift the costs of motor vehicle use to the drivers. Imposing user charges that reflect the full costs of driving will almost certainly have direct and lasting effects. One method is increasing existing state and federal fuel taxes. Fuel tax revenues expand directly with fuel consumption.