School Project: Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint

What do the term “Carbon Footprints” actually mean?

The total amount of greenhouse gases which are produced to support human activities directly or indirectly, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

In other words, When any one would drive a car, as the engine burns fuel which intensely creates a certain amount of Co₂, depending on the fuel consumption, (CO₂ is the chemical symbol for carbon  dioxide). Whenever, we heat our house with Oil, gas or coal, then it also generates a huge amount of CO₂. Also when we purchase some quantities of foods and goods, within the foods and goods contains some amount of CO₂ composition.

The best way in which  we can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions based on the fuel consumption. Below you can check a table where the most commonly used fuels have verified :

Examples:

For each (UK-) gallon of petrol fuel consumed, 10.4 kg carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted.

For each (US-) gallon of gasoline fuel consumed, 8.7 kg carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted.

If anyone’s car consumes 7.5 liter diesel per 100 km, then whenever we can drive  about 300km distance 3 x 7.5 =22.5 liter diesel, which adds 22.5 x 2.7 Kg = 60.75 Kg CO₂ to your  personal carbon footprint.

The ways in which we can Prevent the misuse of carbon dioxide :-

1. Try to Travel Public Transportation (train or bus) mostly a distance of 10 to 12 Km (6.5 to 7miles).

2. It is considered to drive your car a distance of  6 Km or 3.75 miles (assuming Litres petrol per 100 km or 39 mpg)

3. It is the best way so that we can operate our computer only about 32 hours (60 Watt consumption assumed)

4. Production  of 5 plastic bags is recommended.

5. Production of 2 plastic  bottles is also considered.

It is clarified that carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases which is responsible for the rising of global warming. Some other greenhouse gases are like Methane and Ozone etc. These greenhouse gases are normally taken as the carbon footprint. They are converted into the amount of CO₂ which can also cause the same effects on Global Warming ( this  is  called  equivalent  CO₂ amount ).

The carbon footprint is a powerful tool to understand the impact of personal behaviour on global warming. If we really want to prevent the rise of global warming, then the constant monitoring of our personal carbon footprint is essential.

What is Global Warming ?

The term “Global Warming” is given to the phenomenon where there is an increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface. It occurs due the release Of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrous oxide and methane in the earth’s atmosphere. These gases trap excess heat and light from the sun which mainly causes a global warming of the earth. Global warming was recognized by scientists and meteorologists in the mid 20th century. The increase of these gases is mainly caused by the human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

 HOW DO GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS THE ENVIRONMENT?

The global warming has several effects on the natural environment. As the temperature is intensely rising at an alarming rate on the earth, the polar caps are starting to melt. This in return is causing in the rise of the sea levels which in turn will cover some low lying land. This is responsible for the various deaths Of marine species as well as human existence.

The changes in the earth’s atmosphere are also contributing to changes in weather patterns. This means that both droughts and floods will more occur as the rain patterns intensely converts. This also means that the occurrence of hurricanes, Severe thunderstorms, hail and acid rain will increase.

How does Carbon Footprint cause Global Warming ?

We all know that Global warming is mainly caused by the emission  of  greenhouse gases. The total composition of the greenhouse gases which would released mostly consist of 72% of  carbon dioxide (CO₂), 18% of methane  and 9% nitrous oxide (NOx). Carbon dioxide is mainly evolved by burning of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, diesel, organic – diesel, petrol, ethanol. The emissions of CO₂ have been rising up dramatically within the last 50 years  and are still increased by almost 3% each year.

In the modern world, there is no guarantee that the earth would be revived  from the such destruction. But we should aim to reduce our carbon footprint to 2 tons per capita per year until 2050. This means that the industrialized nations will have involved in reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to values about 10% to 20% Of the current values.