Automobiles or AutoNObiles?

Automobiles have impacted the world at full speed. From the time Henry Ford sponsored the development of assembling affordable automobile at mass production, the world has really been revolutionized by cars. Overtime, it has directly affected different aspects of the society such as human life, economy, and even the environment.

The invention of cars paved way for the convenience and increased mobility of humans. They are able to go to work faster, migrate to another place, or travel, regardless of the distance. Some people also make money out of cars by turning it into cabs or taxis, or by driving it for someone for a fee. Aside from this, the transportation of goods has been made easier as well. This must be the reason why more cars are being produced each year, to meet the demand of the mass. In fact, the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF) reported that in the Philippines alone, a total of 234,747 units of automobile were sold in 2014. Nielsen Global Survey of Automotive Demand also stated that 46% of Filipinos intend to acquire a car within the next two years, which is quite high for a country comprising mostly of the lower class. The increased production is also good news for rubber and gas manufacturers, as well as labor workers, for this means income.

Though there are benefits brought about by this invention, there are also consequences which we now pay for. Automobiles have made life quicker and more efficient, but it also resulted to the increased rate of road accidents and fatality. In the Philippines, as of 2014, there are 227 accidents on the road every day, and 1 of which is fatal. Apart from this, transportation is actually slower now because of heavy traffic. Vehicles are also responsible for a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, because of the use of non-renewable fuels. Cars don’t just pollute the air, it also creates noise pollution from the sound of its horn and engine.

Automobiles have truly become a fundamental part of our society today. Its invention has influenced, shaped and changed the world enormously. While it advanced human life, it also puts their life at risk due to unforeseen accidents on the road. Nevertheless, automobiles are certainly here to stay. Automobiles have responded to the need of humans for transportation and independence, but now, humans have to find solutions to the need of the environment, due to the effects of cars.

-CHERIFERnando Poe Jr_ID1