ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CARS ON NATURE

Аннотация

In the modern world, cars have become an integral part of human life. They play an important role in transportation, economic activity, and everyday life. However, the rapid growth of the number of cars is causing serious harm to the environment. In Uzbekistan, especially in the last decade, the number of cars has increased significantly. For example, according to UzAutoMotors, in 2023, more than 1.5 million cars were registered in the country, which is 40% more than in 2015. This article analyzes the impact of the increasing number of cars on nature, considers thesituation inUzbekistan, and makes proposals tomitigate theproblem. Keywords: cars, transport, nature, people, ecology, exhaust gases, noise, toxic substances, environmental monitoring, publictransport. The growth of the number of cars and environmental problems are closely related. The increase in the number of cars has a number of negative effects on the environment. The main problems are: Airpollution. Car engines, especially internal combustion engines, produce many toxic gases. Worldwide, cars consume approximately 2.1 billion tons of fuel per year and emit about 700 million tons of toxic substances into theatmosphere, including: •Carbon dioxide(CO₂): Causes thegreenhouse effect and climatechange. •Carbon monoxide(CO): 420million tons, harmful to humanhealth. •Nitrogen oxides (NOx): 60million tons, causes respiratory diseases. •Hydrocarbons (CH): 170million tons, irritates mucousmembranes. •Sootand lead: 17million tonsof sootand 0.6million tonsof lead pollutewater and soil. Airpollution is a growing problem in Uzbekistan, particularly inlarge cities such as Tashkent. In 2024, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Tashkent was at “unhealthy” levels 40% of the year, largely duetovehicle emissions. Impact onwater resources. Vehicle emissions enter water bodies through the air, polluting them. For example, lead and hydrocarbons mix with rainwater and reach rivers and lakes. In Uzbekistan, the level of pollution in the Amudarya and Zarafshan river basins has increased by 15%, partly due to vehicle emissions. Damage to soilandplants. Exhaust gases and soot change the chemical composition of the soil, reducing its fertility. The amount of lead in agricultural land in the Tashkent region has increased by 10% in the last 10 years. Thisnegatively affects plant growth and reduces agricultural productivity. Noisepollution. The increase in the number of cars increases the noise level in cities. The noise level on the central streets of Tashkent reaches 70-80 decibels, which leads to human health problems, in particular, stress andsleep disorders. Disruptionof theecological balance. https://ijmri.de/index.php/jmsi volume 4,issue7,2025 99 Exhaust gases harm the natural environment of plants and animals. For example, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons create photo smog, which disrupts the photosynthesis process of plants. In Uzbekistan, therate ofplant death in theFergana Valley has increased by5%. Thegrowth ofthe numberof cars in Uzbekistan. The number of cars in Uzbekistan has been growing rapidly in recent years. The following statistics confirm this:Data for 2023: More than 1.5 million cars are registered in the country, of which 70% are gasoline20% diesel, and 10% are gas or hybrid engines. The situation in Tashkent: More than 500,000 cars drive in the capital every day, which accounts for about 60% of air pollution. Thenumber ofcars in Uzbekistanis increasing. Negative effects ofcar emissions Impact on human health. Respiratory diseases: NOx and soot damage the respiratory tract, causing diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. In Tashkent, respiratory diseases increased by 12% in 2024. Allergies and mucous membrane irritation: Hydrocarbons irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat. Stress and mental health: About 20% of the population suffers from constant stress due tonoise pollution. Ecological consequences. Greenhouse effect: CO₂ emissions contribute to global warming. About 30 million tons of CO₂ are emitted by cars in Uzbekistan annually. Water pollution: Lead andother heavy metals pollute water resources, harming fish and aquatic plants. Soil degradation: Toxicsubstances reduce soilfertility, which harms agriculture. The following measures can be taken to reduce environmental problems caused by the increase inthenumber ofcars in Uzbekistan: Development of environmentally friendly transport. Electric and hybrid cars: Uzbekistan needs to expand the infrastructure (charging stations) for electric cars. For example, 50 charging stations were installed in Tashkent by 2024, but this is not enough. State subsidies: Introduction oftax incentives forthepurchase ofelectric cars (for example, a10-15% discount). Use of catalytic converters and neutralizers. Catalytic converters reduce CO, NOx and hydrocarbon emissions by 60-80%. Installation of catalytic converters should be mandatory for all cars in Uzbekistan. Introduction of diesel particulat