| The last 3 decades have been the warmest period in | | | | Honda and Toyota, have released several hybrid cars |
| history. This is mainly because of human activities | | | | to their line-up. American brands later followed. In |
| that prompted the steep spike of carbon emission in | | | | 2008, there were 11 new hybrid cars. In 2009, there |
| the air. The result is, the air gets warmer, the | | | | were 10 new additions. However, the price of hybrid |
| weather patterns change drastically, and the natural | | | | cars are still higher and the production figures are not |
| cycle of the environment is disrupted. Rolled into one, | | | | enough to replace even at least 10% of the total |
| this is called, global warming. | | | | number of vehicles in the world today. |
| Global warming has sparked debates for the last 20 | | | | The Scientific Community |
| years, but not recently, when we can all experience | | | | Several scientific studies have been made to fully |
| first-hand the effects of this phenomenon, are we | | | | understand the effects of global warming to the |
| beginning to take actions. | | | | earth people. At the same time, scientists are |
| Earth Hour | | | | developing new technologies to counter the effects |
| In 2007, an event called Earth Hour was inaugurated | | | | of climate change. Many scientists, engineers, and |
| in Sydney, Australia. Sponsored by the WWF (World | | | | environmentalists tackle the issue in their own hands, |
| Wildlife Fund), Earth hour is held every last Saturday | | | | making their home or even their communities, |
| of March asking every household and establishments | | | | greener, more energy efficient, and less energy |
| to turn off non-essential lights and other appliances | | | | dependent. |
| for 60 minutes. This is intended to raise the | | | | The United Nations |
| consciousness of the people to the effects of | | | | There are several talks and more future talks to |
| climate change and the realities of global warming. | | | | come to address the issue of climate change. The |
| Several nations have followed Sydney's lead, making | | | | United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, |
| Earth Hour an annual event. | | | | Indonesia was just one of the several events held to |
| Automotive Industry | | | | promote awareness and provide definitive actions |
| The first full production hybrid car, the Honda Insight, | | | | against global warming. |
| was first unveiled in December 1999, which is then | | | | The United States |
| followed by the production of Toyota Prius in 2000. | | | | President Obama actively participates in addressing |
| Since then, the automotive industry continues to | | | | the effects of climate change. Different states also |
| develop more fuel efficient vehicles. This, however, is | | | | create environmental policies and new environmental |
| not entirely because of the direct response to global | | | | rules and regulations to reduce carbon emission. The |
| warming, but as an effort to keep the industry afloat | | | | Federal Government provides incentives to greener |
| and to answer consumers' demands for high-mileage | | | | households and companies. |
| cars. As frontrunners, Japanese manufacturers, | | | | Is it enough? |