The transport industry plays a huge role in the country’s economy. The industry basically supports critical sectors and industries in the economy including, oil and gas, mining and construction. Recently, the industry is under fire due to its overall impact on the climate and environment.
Environmental challenges and infrastructure development
Major persistent issues and environmental challenges include energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission, congestion, resource depletion and harmful effects on human health. Transport industry also requires a vast network of routes and infrastructure development this eventually leads to cutting down of natural habitats endangering wildlife and foremost contributing towards ecosystem degradation. Experts have reported that the transport sector consumes half of global fossil fuels. With so much advancement and the need to cater to increasing consumer demands will consequently lead to depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel. The transport sector alone is responsible for more than 90% consumption of oil only. Also, carbon emissions have been increasing by a steady rate of 2% annually. Despite the fact that many companies have been investing in to advance technology and electric-powered vehicles.
Congestion leads to huge economic costs in terms of productivity loss
Also, the transport sector is majorly responsible for traffic congestion. This eventually leads to excessive emission of carbon mono oxide in the air resulting into poor oxygen levels and air pollution. Also, traffic congestion leads to major economic costs in terms of productivity loss on a global level.
Loss of diversity and ecological degradation
Major natural resources are used, consumed and eventually depleted in the construction or development of transport infrastructure. Especially related to logistics companies in Dubai, UAE, which requires roads, rail networks and other transport facilities. This phenomenon is also known as ‘land grab’. Transport industry also plays a huge role in reducing accessibility clearly affecting quality of life.
Other challenges
Completely Blaming the transport industry for the degradation of the environment shouldn’t be the case. Increasing population is another major threat that leads to environmental challenges and the loss of biodiversity. Increasing population, consumer demands and economic development leads
to drastic urbanization. Which consequently leads to a huge loss of natural habitats and wildlife. Many species are now extinct due to human activities. This will eventually lead to climate crisis.
Global challenges and depletion of natural resources
Global challenges pertaining to the transport industry are increasing. There has been an increase of two to three billion cars on an annual basis which will eventually lead to higher costs related to fossil fuels. Carbon emissions are increasing at a steady rate which means the frequency of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and storms will increase. The recent Australian bush fire is another example of the climate crisis. More so, the quality of life for middle to lower-middle-class will significantly decrease owing to major social and economic costs generated by the transport industry.
However, the future isn’t bleak. Companies are working on multi-modal systems and green solutions to improve how they impact the environment.
