Historically, America’s cultural identity has become inextricably linked to the automobile. However, what began as a convenient, and often essential, mode of transportation has morphed into an unhealthy tyrannical obsession, which symbolizes success and power. Some would say we have a national addiction with cars – and big ones especially.
In the past twenty years, cars have grown larger, heavier and more intimidating. Mimicking the appearance of military vehicles with names to match, massive SUVs dominate the landscape and the statistics are not pretty. Globally, cars directly take the lives of more than a million people annually they also kill others through air pollution and environmental hazards, including their use as attack weapons.
Our increasing dependency on cars is draining earth’s natural resources, their carbon emissions drive climate change and they create unsafe streets and congestion which make the planet unlivable. We know much of this, yet we continue to ignore the negative consequences of our indulgent behavior and worship at the altar of the auto. Cars dominate our lives and we just love the personal comfort and distraction afforded by the gadgets behind the wheel. But for how long can we ignore the true costs of our driving habits on others and the planet, without paying the price?
Join the discussion on BIG CARS - at what cost? Register on Zoom, and meet our panel and new moderator, Daniel Berger-Jones on October 14 at 5 pm.
