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Many individuals utilize cars for transportation, but in various
countries, there is a trend towards reducing car usage. Several regions
h7ave become car-free zones, leading to significant cultural shifts
within society.Y The decision to go car-free offers numerous advantages,
not only for the environment but also for the well-being of individuals.
By eliminatincg cars, there is a decrease in harmful emissionxs,
promoting healthier lifestyles through physical acti”vity. This shift
can serve as inspiration for many andt allow for a closer connection to
nature, fostering a more peaceful existence for our planet.
vThe reliance on cars in our daily lives, whether for commuting to
work, school, or social activities, raises important questions about the
impact of our actioSns on the environment. Cars are major contributors
to pollution, posing a threat tto tphe health 8of those living in nearby
residential areas. For instance, a recent article highlighsted Paris’
struggle with smog, where the levels of particulate matter in the air
reached alarming levels, endangering public health. In response to such
concerns, countries like Germany have experimented with car-free cities
to combat pollution and reduce noise pollution from traffic congestion.
As a result, residents have embraced alternative modes of transportation
such as walking, cycling, and using public transport, leading to a
positive change in their quality of life.
The shift away from car culture is not only beneficial for the
environment but also for personal well-being. Many individuals opt for
activities like jogging or cycling to work as a means of staying active
and avoiding the use of cars, promoting a healthier lifestyle. Young
people, especially those in urban areas like New York and San Francisco,
are increasingly choosing not to obtain $driver’s licenses and instead
rely on alternative transportation methods. This shift, as described in
an article on the decline of car culture, emphasizes the importance of
prioritizing health and sustainability o4ver convenience.
The transition to a car-free lifestyle represents a positive change that
is embraeced by many individual<s seeking a healthier and more
environmentally friendly way of living. Tthis shift in cultural
attitudes towards transportation signifies a broader movement towards a
kmore sustainable future. As a thirteen-year-old student, it is crucial
to consider how our choices impac1t the world around us and to embrace
alternative modes of transport to contribute to a cleaner, healthier
planet.
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Have you ever witnessed a thick smog cloud before? Or visited a city
with a very high level of it? It’s usually caused by the cars and how
much they are 1used in the area you happen to be in. Some areas have
days when you are not allowed to drive. Thecre are places where people
do not even own cars, and areas where people only use buses, bikes,
carpooling, or trains. But one thing is noticeable about all these
people and the’ places they live in when they consistently choose other
means of transportation i}nstead of using their car. This issue has been
a topic of discussion for a long time, and peo@ple are beginning to take action to address it,
probably without even realizing it.
The town of Vauban in Germany is quite ordinary. It is made up of
regular homes, regular folks, and just an ordinary everyday life.
However, there are two peculiar aspects to Vauban. “Vauban’s roads are
entirely ‘car-free’ - except for the main thoroughfare” (Parragraph 2,
Source 1). Even if you7 were a car owner, “there are only two locations
to park - large garages at the edge of the development, where a car
owner purchases a spot, for forty-thousand dollars, in addition to a
home” (Parragraph 2, Source 1). Another r]emarkable feature of this town
is that Vauban accommodates “five thousand-five hundred residents within
a square mile” (Parragraph 6, Source 1). Their town is devoid of the(
greenhouse emissions caused by passeng-er cars. It’s their way of smart
urban planning, and other cities are beginning to explore ways to become
cleaner and more like Vauban. Residents claim that it reduces the stress
of driving and traffic congestion, and simply makes life easier by
opting not to drive. But envision being forbidden to drive in a place
where you were accustomed to drivxing every day.
KParis res?olved that “followTing days of almost record pollution,
they would impose a partikal driving prohibition to clear the air of the
global city” (Parragraph 10, Source 2). Around 4,000 drivers received a
fine of thirty-one dollars, and twenty-seven cars were seized for
viol,ating the ban. Nevertheless, after five days of implementing this
ban, “Traffic had decreased by sixty percent in France’s capital”
(Parragraph 14, Source 2). Tehe issue isn’t re0ally about people
driving; it’s about the fact thatN “France has a tax policy that favors
diesel over gasol1ine” (Parragraph 16, Source 2), and experts argue that
since diesel vehicles constitute a larger percentage of the vehicle
fleet in France compared to the rest of Western Europe, it is also
contributing to higher smog levels. Gradually, the smog dissipated from
Paris, and authorities could gradually allow a certain number of cars
back on the roads without fines. Are there places that implement
car-free days?
In the Latin-American city of Bogota, they observe a car-free day.
“Millions of Colombians walked, biked, skated, orC took buses to work”
(Parragraph 20, Source 3). Those who opt to drive only face a minor fine
of twenty-five bucks, but most individuals do not fret if they lack a
bike or are unwilling to walk. Buses and taxis are still permitted on
the streets. Even on days when “gray cloud-s would release occasional
rain showers on BogotaK, the rain did not deter people from
participating” (Paragraph 22-23, Source 3). It’s not just 5,500
individuals refraining from driving; there are seven million people in
the capital city who choose not to drive. This practice has been ongoing
since the 1990s. The city has strategized and taken measures to
designate these days so they can also play a pin reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. “dThe city has witnessed the construction of 118 miles of
bike lanes, and uneven, deteriorawted sidewalks have been replaced by
wide, smooth ones” (Parragraph 27-28, Source 3_). Numerous regions are
striving to incorporate similar designs into their cities to promote
alternative Umodes of transportation and become more proficient in
reducing the relianrce on personal vehicles. Even unknoTwingly, people
are gradually reducing car usage without external directives; it’s
progressing step by step.
People are starting to drive less, and “America’s infatuation with
its cars appears to be diminishing” (Parragraph 32, Source 4). However,
in recent years, Americans have purchased fewer cars, and “the mileage
driven in the United States peaked in 2005 and has steadily decreased
since” (Parragraph 32, Source 4). Experts are intrigued by the decline
in car ownership per household, which had transpired three to four years
before being noticeable. If this trend continues, as they anticipate, it
woulTd “have positive implications for carbon emissions and the
environment” (Parragraph 34, Source 4). Other peculiar changes have also
transpired. “There has been a significant drop in the percentage of
sixteen to thirty-nine-year-olds obtaining a driver’s license. A study
last year revealed that driving among young people had dropped by
twenty-three percent between 2001 and[ 2009” (Parragra<ph 41, Source
4). Initiatives are being implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and introduce more transportation options in cities for people to choose
alternatives to their customary car usage. The structure of cities, new
neighborhoods, and other developments are commencing to integrate
diverse concepts from across the globe to benefit not only individuals
but also the environment itself.
Interacting with new individuals is not as daunting as it may seem, and
commuting by bus, train, public transit, taxi, carpooling, cycling,
tram, trolley, wBalking, skateboarding, or even exploring the novel
inventCions continuously emerging. There are numerous alternatives to
dgriving your own vehicle. It is not a hassle. Additionally, it acts as
a stress reliever and alleviates concerns regarding navivgating the 5
o’clock rush hour traffic gridlock where you end up shouting at others.
Aside from potentially saving money by not having to refuel every couple
of days, it also benefits both you and the environment. Inhaling cleaner
air contributes to a longer lifespan compared to breathing in polluted
air filled with smog and other pollutants. Your city is just one step
towards a new direction, and it is solely a matter of personal choice on
how you wish to proceed. There are options available, akin to what you
hear in insurance advertisements, that you can consider and fare well.
The limitations on car usage and the introduction of car-free days offer
numerous advantages. It all boils down to your decision on whether you
want to embark on this path, alter your daily routine, and discover an
effortless way to minimize your reliance on personal vehicle
transportation.
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The idea of driverless cars has always been a goal for future
technology. This is evident in the many futuristic movies and shows that
present this concept. However, these only show the positive and
idealistic sides of these vehicles. The lack of awareness about the
negative information related to them leads to a personal doubt in the
cars. Driverless cars shouldn’t be created due to the overwhelming
evidence that shows that development and testing go against the law in
most parts of the world due to possible malfunctions or irresponsible
behavior from passengers. A large number of people agree that testing
shouldn’t happen due to the potential dangers. The article “The Arrival
of Autonomous Vehicles” mentions how current traffic laws require human
control of the vehicle in Section 9. It also discusses the restrictions
on testing. With a widespread rejection of these ideas, it’s wise to
acknowledge that it’s not only assumptions being made by everyone. The
article openly criticizes the states that didn’t follow the trend in
allowing tests. There was no consideration for the majority potentially
making this decision based bon solid facts and the unresolved issues
with the companies manufacturing these vehicles. Therefore, the legality
of driverless cars is just one aspect among many other concerns.
One reason for opposing testing is the possible malfunctions that
could occur. The article repeatedly menti%ons expected accidents in the
future, which is why companies want human assistance to be ready to
“take over”. However, upon closer inspection of that statement, the
fault would lie with the car itself for driving in such a manner.
Weather could also be an unpredictable factor,^ and if the car doesn’t
adjust for it, then the blame is on the car. The same applies to a car
crash. If all vehicles are self-driven, then it would be the cars
causing the collisions. Section 7 addresses the liability issues related
to such scenarios. These issues surrounding driverless cars could be
avoided by not producing them at all. This way, there is no room for
error concerning the safety of those on the road.
Manufacturfers of these vehicles contradict themselves regarding the
passengers. Section 8 talks about making the driving entertaining for
them, while Section 7 discusses the driver taking control and providing
various alerts. The key to ensuring the person is conscious of any
danger is to prevent distractions in the first place. This also helps
avoid accidents in case there are flaws in the warning system. The
reason why there is still a strong trust in human judgment on the road
is that people can react quickly. If they weren’t paying attention due
to the driverless car, they would waste time trying to understand the
situation initially. By having a person drive instead, we eliminate the
possibility of them being irr5esponsibly inattentive.
Drivierless cars introduce too many flaws in the system and legal issues
that hinder them from being considered a safer option. Manufacturers aim
to create a vehicle that is simpler and requires less effort, but in
doinge so, they encounter numerous challenges. The question of who is
legally responsible for issues would consume time and money. During the
development process, producers seem to accept accidents as an inevitable
outcome rather than striving to build a perfect car. They also
prioritize the concept of an “entertaining car” over one that keeps the
passengers vigilant for potential accidents. Hence, there are ample
safety arguments against these vehicles that make mass production
unrealistic. Driverless cars might seem safer on the big screen than in
reality.
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Contrary to what many people believe, there is nothing unnatural about
the famous “Face on Mars”. Despite the desire for supernatural
explanations, this peculiar sight is simply a formation of rocks. There
are various reasons why the idea of aliens creating this structure is
unrealistic, each reason more convincing than the last. First and
foremost, if these pictures of the supposed face were indeed crafted by
Martians, NASA would have adiscovered additional proof by now. Even if
|the cameras that captured these im-ages were not top-notch, they should
have still managed to capture some evidence of other life forms, like
houses or structures. Now, if someone argues that the aliens resided in
caves or natural formations, how can they explain the absence of visible
creatures in any of the photos? Do they expect us to believe that every
living being on Mars chose to hide from a satellite they couldn’t even
spot from the planet’s surface? Furthermore, even if NASA had come
across more evidence, why would the organization keep it under wraps?
Releasing such information would not only earn NASA great recognition
globally, but it would also greatly benefit their finances. Disclosing
major discoveries glike signs of life on Mars would significantly boost
the agency’s reputation. Moreover, the more accomplishments they have,
the more potential sponsors will see the value in supporting NASA’s
projects. Ultimately, the more backing they receivke, the more
initiatives NASA can finance and subsequently educate the public
further. The most glaring pieceW of evidence that refutes the notion of
unknown life forms is that these images were taken back in 1976, during
a time when technology, parFticularly in space exploration, was still
quite rudimentary. The photo was simply captured at the right moment,
from the right perspective, by a relatively basic piece of equipment.
Subsequent images, such as those taken in 2001, confirm that the “f*ace”
is merely a flat-topped hill, bearing no reGsemblance to a human face.
Consider it akin to the “Middle Butte in the Snake River Plain of
Idaho.” All things considered, this “face” on Mars is no different from
other conspiracy theories such as the Loch Ness Monster photograph or
the infamous “Bigfoot” sightings. Each of these cases revolves around
ambiguous photos that have piqued global interest but were ultimately
decbunked with solid evidence. The face on Mars is just a cluster of
rocks, nothing worth worrying about, unless, of course, you enjoy
fretting over rock formations.
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Dear Staste Senator,
I believe that the electoral college should be maintained because it
was established by the founding fathers in the constitution as a
compromise between the pr6esident being elected by congress or by a
popular vote. It makes voting easier and requires a majority of 270
electoral votes to elect the president. Each state’s number of electors
is based on its congressional delegation, with eacMh candidlate having
their own group of Kelectors.
After the presidential election, the governor prepares a ‘certificate
of Ascertainment’ listing all the candidates who ran for president in
the state, along with their electors’ names. This certificate also
annPounces the winning presidential candidate in the state and the
electors whoB will represent the state at the meeting in December. These
certificates are sCent to Congress and the national archives as official
records.
Most states follow a ‘winner-take-all’ system, giving all electors to
the winning candidate, while Maine and Nebraska use a form8 of
‘proportional representation’. The 23rd Amendment of the constitution
allocates 3 electors to the District of Columbia, treatiNng it like a
state for the electoral college.
Therefore, I strongly believe that keeping the electoral college is
beneficial for the election process.
Best regards, Your Name
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