*There are 774 vehicles in the United States for every 1,000 people. Elsewhere in the world, there are only 176 vehicles for every 1,000 people.

*Americans drove 2.8 trillion miles during 2003.

*The average car emits approximately one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile that it travels.

FOSSIL FUEL FOLLY

Scientists explain that burning fossil fuels, such as oil, increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Raised levels of carbon dioxide in the air trap heat and prevent it from escaping into outer space. As a result, some experts claim that the Earth's temperature is rising, a process they call the greenhouse effect. These environmentalists warn that the greenhouse effect could disrupt weather patterns, eventually causing the polar ice caps to melt. If that were to happen, devastating floods would destroy coastal areas, and marine life would die from declining levels of salt in the sea.

GOODBYE GAS GUZZLERS

Because automobile engines burn gas, which is a by-product of oil, they cause a significant amount of carbon dioxide pollution. Therefore, researchers are investigating alternative methods to power cars. One promising technology is fuel cells. Although this pioneering advancement still requires another decade of research before it's perfected, fuel cells have the potential to completely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions.

INSIDE FUEL CELLS

A fuel cell produces electricity by directing hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, over a metal, such as platinum. This process strips the electrons from the hydrogen, sending them into an electrical circuit that provides electric power. Meanwhile, oxygen enters the fuel cell, combines with the hydrogen to form water (the only waste product) and heat, which is another source of energy. Unfortunately, a single fuel cell produces only a small amount of electricity; therefore, hundreds of fuel cells must be stacked together to power a car. 

GIVE AND TAKE

When we burn fossil fuels for energy, we diminish the earth's resources and pollute the environment. This shortsighted behavior fails to fulfil both parts of God's commandment in the Torah that obligates us "to work the land and watch over it" (Bereishit 2:15). However, when we create energy from fuel cells, we not onlyput nature to work for us, but also safeguard the planet's precious resources for future generations. By doing so, we assume responsibility as stewards of God's creation, ensuring that King Solomon's wisdom remains true: "A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth abides forever" (Ecclesiastes 1:4)