Automobiles and Influence of OPEC
Q1. The automobiles changed the U.S. in many ways that included an economic rise. It was brought about by the coming up of motels, fuel stations, and restaurants, for example. Infrastructure such as highways also came up as a result of facilitating automobile transportation (Melosi, 2010). Rural areas were opened up to business as a result of the automobile industry as more rural farmers turned to alternative economic practices. The mode of transport changed from horses to cars which were faster hence the transport of goods, for example, became easier.
Automobile use has both positive and negative effects. The adverse effects include pollution through carbon emission. Accidents that cause loss of life and fatal injuries also exist due to the use of automobiles. However, some positives include decreasing the transportation time of goods and people. The export of American cars plays a role in the economic growth of the country as well.
Decreasing accidents requires strict road user rules while reducing carbon emission involves the use of alternative fuels and fuel-efficient models. The electric car, for example, is an effort towards reducing air pollution through the use of alternative power. Manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles would also decrease the pollution rate. The construction of infrastructure is a positive aspect that is continuously undertaken. Infrastructure, in this case, refers to roads, bridges, and IT components such as highway CCTVs.
Q2. OPEC has a political and economic influence on oil-producing and exporting countries. Oil plays a massive role in the economic structure of a nation; thus, oil-exporting and producing countries should be economically stable. However, it is not always the case as politics influence the oil industry. The U.S. is a significant oil exporter, for example, while the Middle East is a large oil producer. Strained relationships between countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., for example, influence politics in a huge way. OPEC, due to its dominance, controls oil prices, thereby influencing the economic aspect of the countries involved in the Middle East. Political instability experienced directly impacts the financial aspect as well.
OPEC influences fossil fuel exploration and drilling in the U.S. Even though there are efforts to turn to green energy, fossil fuel remains the primary source of energy (“OPEC : Fossil fuels and the future”, 2016). In this regard, exploration and drilling are influenced by the demand of the commodity. As energy requirements increase due to increased reliability and availability, a turn to alternative fuels remains a challenge. Drilling and exploration thus become inevitable. Conditions have to be, however, adhered to.
Q3. Grey leaf spot affects corn and is present in Iowa. Fungicides are in use to deal with the GLS disease. Corn foliar fungicide trials were carried out in six locations to test the results as regards effectiveness. The tests aimed at determining different fungicide aspects in relation to effectiveness. These included the effect of fungicide application timing. It also sought to assess yield and determine if there were differences in fungicides. Results indicated that yield varied based on application time as well as location. All fungicides reduced the disease, and fungicide application at the reproductive stage had a higher severity level. Susceptible hybrids are more likely to be affected. Spraying should thus be done with a focus on the likelihood of disease as regards location and crop type. Even though the green leaf spot disease was present in all locations, severity differed (Robertson, 2020).