The world economy is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Transportation accounts for more than half of the 80 million barrels of oil consumed worldwide each day.
Growth in passenger travel, mainly by car and plane, has been the biggest contributor to the increase in oil demand.
The estimated 210 million automobiles and light trucks (vans, pick-ups and SUVs) in the United States comprise about two-thirds of the country’s oil use.
Global warming
The transportation sector is one of the main contributors to climate change, as it is responsible for a large part of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
United States and Transportation
The United States is the world’s largest emitter of global warming pollutants contributing almost half of all emissions caused by human activity. A third of energy-related U.S. emissions are produced by the transportation sector.
Fuel efficiency standards
The United States has the lowest fuel efficiency standards and the most permissible standards for tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions when compared to most developed countries.
Inefficiency
Our transportation system is highly inefficient most of the energy content in gasoline fuel is lost to vehicle noise, heat, non-useful vibration, and wasted braking energy.
Oil Consumption per Capita,
Top 10 Oil Consuming Countries
