Question
Read the following excerpt from the US Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA).
“Carbon monoxide (CO) in ambient air is formed primarily by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The amount of CO emitted from these reactions, relative to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated, is sensitive to conditions in the combustion zone. CO production relative to CO2 generally decreases with any increase in fuel oxygen (O2) content, burn temperature, or mixing time in the combustion zone. Internal combustion engines commonly used to power mobile sources have widely varying operating conditions. Therefore, higher and more variable CO emission levels result from the operation of these mobile sources. In 2002, CO emissions from on-road vehicles accounted for a substantial majority of total emissions by individual source sectors in the U.S.”
Given the finding from the EPA, which of the following actions would be considered both financially feasible and environmentally effective in reducing carbon monoxide emissions in the United States?
[Select TWO choices]
Congress could enact new laws making internal combustion engines illegal in North America, thus reducing CO emissions.
Technologies could be developed that reduce the CO emission of current gasoline and diesel engines, which would lower CO emissions.
New state laws could prohibit the use and sale of gasoline and diesel fuel, thus forcing the US consumer to buy hybrid and electric vehicles.
The US government could eliminate additional funding for research in solar and wind renewable energy, which create no CO emission.
Automotive manufacturing could increase the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles for the US consumer to purchase, which would lower CO emissions.
“Carbon monoxide (CO) in ambient air is formed primarily by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The amount of CO emitted from these reactions, relative to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated, is sensitive to conditions in the combustion zone. CO production relative to CO2 generally decreases with any increase in fuel oxygen (O2) content, burn temperature, or mixing time in the combustion zone. Internal combustion engines commonly used to power mobile sources have widely varying operating conditions. Therefore, higher and more variable CO emission levels result from the operation of these mobile sources. In 2002, CO emissions from on-road vehicles accounted for a substantial majority of total emissions by individual source sectors in the U.S.”
Given the finding from the EPA, which of the following actions would be considered both financially feasible and environmentally effective in reducing carbon monoxide emissions in the United States?
[Select TWO choices]
Congress could enact new laws making internal combustion engines illegal in North America, thus reducing CO emissions.
Technologies could be developed that reduce the CO emission of current gasoline and diesel engines, which would lower CO emissions.
New state laws could prohibit the use and sale of gasoline and diesel fuel, thus forcing the US consumer to buy hybrid and electric vehicles.
The US government could eliminate additional funding for research in solar and wind renewable energy, which create no CO emission.
Automotive manufacturing could increase the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles for the US consumer to purchase, which would lower CO emissions.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The two actions that would be considered both financially feasible and environmentally effective in reducing carbon monoxide emissions in the United States are:
1. **Technologies could be developed that reduce the CO emission of current gasoline and diesel engines, which would lower CO emissions.** - This option focuses on improving existing technology, which can be a financially feasible solution as it leverages current infrastructure while enhancing environmental performance.
2. **Automotive manufacturing could increase the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles for the US consumer to purchase, which would lower CO emissions.** - Increasing the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles provides consumers with more environmentally friendly options, directly contributing to a reduction in CO emissions from internal combustion engines.
The other options, while potentially impactful, may not be financially feasible or practical in the short term and could face significant resistance.
1. **Technologies could be developed that reduce the CO emission of current gasoline and diesel engines, which would lower CO emissions.** - This option focuses on improving existing technology, which can be a financially feasible solution as it leverages current infrastructure while enhancing environmental performance.
2. **Automotive manufacturing could increase the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles for the US consumer to purchase, which would lower CO emissions.** - Increasing the availability of hybrid and electric vehicles provides consumers with more environmentally friendly options, directly contributing to a reduction in CO emissions from internal combustion engines.
The other options, while potentially impactful, may not be financially feasible or practical in the short term and could face significant resistance.