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Cash for Clunkers may not be a very effective strategy to combat climate change, according to scientists who report that the federal program will only have a minimal impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  You would think that by taking gas-guzzlers off the road and encouraging people to trade them in for more fuel-efficient vehicles might make a big difference, but even if the cash-strapped program is extended by Congress it only addresses  a quarter-million vehicles of the 260 million on the road.  That said, the program is a step in the right direction, as removing the biggest polluters will help make our roadways a little greener.

The program does seem to have had a positive effect on stimulating the economy and boosting auto sales, but we need to push for approaches that make more significant emission reductions.  The biggest complaint about the plan amongst the climate scientists seems to be that program is not the most cost-effective energy savings method, especially when compared to the cap-and-trade system that is currently awaiting a Senate vote. 

On a positive note, when the junked cars are recycled a significant amount of energy will be saved by using the recycled stell as compared to new steel.  Overall, the program does seem to be helping the economy and taking some major polluters off the road, let’s just hope that it begins a ripple effect towards making a shift towards even more fuel efficient transportation.