The American Lung Association claims electric cars can save lives, reduce asthma attacks, and bring financial and health benefits. However, the study supporting this omits essential facts regarding pollution and ironically fails to recognize that electric vehicle batteries contribute to environmental damage. Here’s the twisted truth presented by CNN’s chief climate correspondent.
In a recent CNN segment, Bill Weir cited a study claiming that if the United States adopts electric vehicles by 2050, there will be 89,300 fewer premature deaths due to reduced air pollution, 2.2 million fewer asthma attacks, 10.7 million fewer lost workdays, and public health benefits totaling $978 billion. Unfortunately, these numbers are built on conjecture and neglect essential aspects of the bigger picture.
While transportation contributes the most significant percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, with 28 percent, electricity closely follows suit at 25 percent. Most of the electricity comes from non-renewable sources, including fossil fuels and coal. These are the same fuels that Weir, the American Lung Association, and the study seem to condemn, completely ignoring the harmful pollutants produced by power plants generating electricity.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can be expensive and controversial. They require more financial investment and often face opposition from locals concerned about lowered property values and environmental preservation. Regardless, these factors were entirely overlooked in the conversation.
Strangely, Weir made the claim that American pollution is “unjust” and disproportionately impacts communities of color, living close to highways and power plants. Yet, there was no mention of the connection between electric car battery production and environmental damage, such as the cobalt mines Hunter Biden helped China purchase in Africa.
Downy and Subway sponsored this misguided segment – make your voices heard, and let them know what they’re supporting.
