Green Wave Sustainability and Social Responsibility Statement
Green Wave Electric Vehicles is a business committed to social responsibility and sustainability in all our actions with all our stakeholders. We understand that the global economy is complex, and trade-offs exist when pursuing sustainable strategies for our business and world. As we grapple with this complexity, Green Wave makes the following statements to express our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Vehicle Electrification Is Essential to Decarbonizing our Economy and Climate Change Mitigation.
Green Wave Electric Vehicles supports the electrification of the automobile fleet in the United States as a crucial step towards decarbonizing our economy and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The electrification of the transportation sector has tremendous potential to help mitigate a changing climate and combat local air pollution, which is responsible for numerous environmental and health hazards such as acid rain and respiratory illnesses. It is disheartening that carbon emissions from transportation continuously rise in the US, making it imperative to transition to fossil fuel-free vehicles, of which electric vehicles are the most readily available option (Lakhani, 2023).
In the greater scheme of things, electric vehicles can create a crucial reduction of GHG emissions, a major contributor to global warming (Ajanovic et al., 2021). Transportation is one of the main contributors to global emissions while being essential for people’s daily livelihoods. In the United States, given car-centric development, driving to work, school, and leisure is often the only option reinforcing the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, “battery electric vehicles have by far the lowest life-cycle GHG emissions compared to all other technologies” (Muncrief, 2023). The recent shift towards electrification in road transport, particularly passenger cars, presents both opportunities and challenges we are dedicated to addressing. Ultimately, it is clear to see that there is no realistic path toward long-term deep decarbonization in the United States without the adoption of electric vehicles.
We Stand Against Irresponsible Sourcing and Manufacturing Practices Including But Not Limited to:
-
- Child Labor in All Forms in the Value Chain of Our Entire Economy;
- Irregular Appropriation of Indigenous and Rural Communities Land;
- Ecosystem Destruction Inside and Outside of the United States Borders;
- Reckless Mineral Extraction and Harm to Surrounding Communities;
- Burning Fossil Fuels to Operate Mining Equipment;
- Modern Slavery, Unfair Wages, and Unsafe Working Conditions
We acknowledge the environmental and social challenges associated with the supply chain of emerging technologies. While no solution is without trade-offs, we urge our partners to uphold more humane and environmentally conscious practices, striving for continuous improvement.
Electric Vehicles Are Sustainable Beyond Just Not Emitting Fossil Fuels
It is crucial to understand that electric vehicles offer sustainability benefits beyond eliminating fossil fuel emissions. Many are unaware that conventional vehicles also rely on mining, such as the use of cobalt for airbag production (BLM Alaska Cobalt Infographic, 2021).
In contrast, leading electric vehicles manufacturers such as Tesla, Ford, and Polestar (Volvo’s new electric sub-brand) are actively incorporating sustainable practices, including the use of vegan leather and carpets made from recycled fishing nets as car manufacturers look to reinvent themselves for the battery-powered future (Berk, 2020). Lastly, the U.S. Department of Energy highlights that using more energy-efficient vehicles such as EVs supports the United States economy, strengthens our nation’s energy security, and diversifies the American fleet.
Green Wave EV Actively Engages in the Concept of Circular Economy.
At Green Wave Electric Vehicles, we actively embrace the concept of the circular economy. Projections indicate that global electric vehicle sales will surpass those of gas vehicles by 2040 (Steckelberg et al., 2023). To promote more sustainable practices, we are committed to participating in the circular economy by exclusively selling pre–owned vehicles. This approach makes electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to a wider range of individuals. Our focus on sustainability, cost savings, resource conservation, and waste reduction reflects our dedication to creating an educational and environmentally conscious automotive industry.
Conclusion
Green Wave Electric Vehicles strives to become a leader in an emerging economy of sustainability. We thoughtfully enter the discourse with tremendous respect and admiration for other companies committed to sustainable practices and social responsibility, and we recognize that we may not always be perfect in our approach. By contributing our time, energy, and money to this discourse, we aim to improve our world for the people, animals, plants, businesses, and natural systems that nurture and sustain us all.
Works Cited
(2021). BLM Alaska Cobalt Infographic [Photograph]. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management. https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2021-04/BLM-AK-Cobalt-Infographic.pdf
Ajanovic, A., Haas, R., & Schrödl, M. (2021). On the Historical Development and Future Prospects of Various Types of Electric Mobility. Energies, 14(4), 1070. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14041070.
Berk, B. (2020, June 4). Luxury Cars Go Sustainable From the Inside Out. The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/business/sustainable-materials-cars.html
Lakhani, N. (23, January 24). Revealed: How US transition to electric cars threatens environmental havoc. The Guardian. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/24/us-electric-vehicles-lithium-consequences-research
Muncrief, R. (2021, July 21). WHY ARE ELECTRIC VEHICLES THE ONLY WAY TO QUICKLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY DECARBONIZE TRANSPORT? The International Council on Clean Transportation. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from https://theicct.org/why-are-electric-vehicles-the-only-way-to-quickly-and-substantially-decarbonize-transport/
Steckelberg, A., Dormido, H., Mellen, R., Rich , S., & Brown, C. (2023, April 27). The underbelly of electric vehicles. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/electric-car-batteries-geography/
U.S. Department of Energy (n.d.). Electric Vehicle Benefits and Considerations. Alternative Fuels Data Center U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html