...CO2 Heat Up Image polar bears standing on one leg due to shrinking ice caps that is the reality in today’s world. Ever since the industrial revolution in the 1850’s, people started to use fossil fuels as energy sources. Fossil fuels create tons of CO2 emissions that get stuck in the atmosphere. These emissions could negatively impact both wildlife and humans alike. CO2 emissions are a big problem in today’s society, and emissions need to be reduced to protect the environment. Some people say CO2 emissions are a myth, and these emissions don’t cause global warming. In the past the Earth heated up to end the Ice Age, and they argue the same cycle is happening today. While the Earth did heat up in the past, it has never reached this kind of global temperature. According to NASA’s climate change graph that shows the Earth’s temperature before fossil fuels and after fossil fuels, the temperature after fossil fuels were used is much higher than before, so this proves CO2 emissions rise global temperature and cause global warming. This creates big problems for the environment. CO2 emissions heat up the Antarctic ice caps causing them to melt. The Antarctic ice caps has been on a slow decline ever since 1992. According John Cook, “Between 1992 and 2011, the Antarctic Ice Sheets overall lost 1350 giga-tonnes (Gt) or 1,350,000,000,000 tonnes into the oceans, at an average rate of 70 Gt per year (Gt/yr).” Even though the Antarctic ice cap gained some of the lost ice from 2011 to 2014...
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...Name: Date: Instructor’s Name: Assignment: SCIE211 Phase 3 Lab Report Title: Sources of CO2 Emissions Purpose The purpose of this lab is to research and state reasons for the trend of carbon dioxide emissions from data provided by the Earth System Research Laboratory over the past 40 years. Introduction Fossil fuels, wood, and living organisms are only some of the things that carbon is found in. The Earth uses CO2 to sustain life using the Carbon Cycle. Plants use the carbon for photosynthesis as the humans release the same through respiration. However, carbon dioxide emissions are traced to be increasing with time among many nations around the world. This increase is said to be as a result of the increase in the use of fuels such as coal due to industrialization (responsible for 40% carbon dioxide emission worldwide). (Kornelis, 2012). Moreover, research shows that these carbon dioxide emissions are likely to increase in the near future with an estimated value of 10% (Kornelis, 2012). Hypothesis The rate of carbon dioxide emissions into the environment are increasing with time. It’s expected that the emissions will be high now and in the future to come. Methods For this lab, a website link (http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/) to an interactive map of the world titled “GMD Observatory Operations” was provided and the following procedures followed. i. I clicked on a starred location on the map and one location opened. ii. To the right of the screen, there...
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...Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), is the major exhaust gas due to human activities contribution to79% of Canada’s total emission. CO2 is released into the atmosphere by means of burning fossil fuels, coal, and land clearance. As the concentration of CO2 accumulates into the atmosphere, climate change and global warming becomes worse. Canada is the leading country in piloting the carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce the emitted CO2 into the atmosphere by storing the captured CO2 underground, it could reduce GHG by 14-19% before 2050. Shell Ltd. Quest project is the first project to use CCS technology in the Athabasca oil sand projects in Canada. The Post combustion method is being used today at a smaller scale than desired. It is estimated that if post-combustion was to occur at a large industrial scale, it required energy of 25-37% of the total energy, and an estimate of about $3500/kW for the capital cost of an IGCC capture plant installation. Pre-combustion capture has a lower cost in carbon capture and higher capture percentage (90-95%) than the post-combustion capture, but requires more expense on the equipment in order for the process to work. Oxyfuel has the best efficiency (~90%) but requires 15% or more of the overall energy with a capital cost for oxyfuel installation of $1000/kW and a $60/MWh retrofit cost. Geological storage is a favourable method, where the captured CO2 travels to the storage site usually through pipelines...
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...JGE236 MDG Assigment By: Saarangan Yogarasa, Nick Priore and Sarah Jeong Introduction: The planet that is home to all known life in the universe has been facing hardships since its formation almost five billion years ago. However, the rapid evolution and advancement of the human race has put the Earth through its greatest challenge yet. The last few centuries saw the Earth undergo massive irreversible damage at the hands of the human race. Although previous attempts were made at dealing with the problem of environmental damage and the non-sustainable use of resources, none were as clear-cut and globally united as the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals, hereafter referred to as the MDG, was signed by all 193 members of the United Nations. The MDG focuses on a wide range of human problems; from poverty and health to environmental damage and the non-sustainability of the current resource usage (Nations, 2010). This was so important because it was the first time that so many nations united together to attempt to solve the world’s biggest problems. Although a lot of the set targets were very ambitious, they were certainly within the realm of reality with proper funding and planning. The following report proposes a plan to carry out a sub-section of one of the goals in one region of the world. Although it would be a very small scale when considering all the goals of the MDG and all the regions of the world, it would provide a morale booster that shows...
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...for giving me such opportunity. I must cite that he gave me the apt direction and showed me the accurate way to complete the assignment. CO2 EMISSION OF EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES: A SHORT REVIEW Beginning… “EU promises 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020” –it was published as headline in 21st February, 2007 in a number of leading newspapers of the world. From that commitment it is clear that the amount of carbon emission in the countries of EU is at an alarming state that vibrates their concern to such thinking. Trend… All the 27 member nations of EU are developed and according to the climatologists, such categorized countries are mostly responsible for the excessive release of carbon and other Green House gases that are causing the planet to warm. We can more be cleared from the graph showing the trend of the emission of CO2 of the EU countries- From the graph it is clear that the highest release was reported during the decade of 1971-80 and it was sudden. Since then the release is decreasing very slowly. Although it is decreasing it is actually not in a fare condition as the graph is on the basis of average amount of emission. So it is time to decrease the amount to on an average of at least 0.2%. Otherwise with the total emission of world’s CO2, it will eventually be gone up and will cause negative consequences of climate change more effectively. Close examination of the problem… ...
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...THE GDP – AN ANALYSIS OF ITS RELATION TO CO2 EMISSIONS, CAR OWNERSHIP AND URBAN POPULATION Research Methods and Statistics WS 2011/2012 15.03.2012 Prof. Irene Peters Mostafa El Gamal Matriculation number: 6005342 Master of Science REAP (Resource efficiency in architecture and planning) Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Collected data overview ........................................................................................................................... 2 2. Regression analysis ................................................................................................................................... 4 3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Table 1: Collected data (World data bank, 2008) ......................................................................................... 3 Table 2: Results of single and multiple regressions ...................................................................................... 7 Figure 2: Second single regression between the GDP and motor vehicles per 1...
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...Comparison of CO2 Emissions from Electric Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles | | In order to determine if the emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) was significantly less from electric vehicles (EV) compared to gasoline powered vehicles, an evaluation was conducted using 5 EV’s and 5 comparable gasoline powered vehicles that were driven 8,000 miles with the average CO2 emissions being measured. The results were that the average CO2 emissions for the EV’s were 4,329 lbs. and the average CO2 emissions for the gasoline powered vehicles were 6,433 lbs., which equates to a 32.7% difference. These results did answer our research question but raised subsequent questions as to whether electric vehicles are the long-term solution in reducing overall non-renewable energy. | | March 22, 2012 March 22, 2012 1.) Introduction The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from electric vehicles (EV) is significantly less than that of internal combustion vehicles (ICE). Our rational for this experiment is due to the increasing number of electric vehicles that are being manufactured and purchased and to answer the question: Is there really a significant positive impact on the environment or more of a psychological impact for society? To answer this question we began research on how the U.S. is getting its electricity. There are several sources of electricity in the U.S., with coal at 48.9%, natural gas at 20%, nuclear at...
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...literature is surprisingly void of clarifications, despite the fact that countless studies in energy and ecological economics that could have claimed to measure a ‘carbon footprint’ have been published over decades. This report explores the apparent discrepancy between public and academic use of the term ‘carbon footprint’ and suggests a scientific definition based on commonly accepted accounting principles and modelling approaches. It addresses methodological question such as system boundaries, completeness, comprehensiveness, units and robustness of the indicator. >>> Processes causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions benefit humans by providing consumer goods and services. This benefit, and hence the responsibility for emissions, varies by purpose or consumption category and is unevenly distributed across and within countries. We quantify greenhouse gas emissions associated with the final consumption of goods and services for 73 nations and 14 aggregate world regions. We analyze the contribution of 8 categories: construction, shelter, food, clothing, mobility, manufactured products, services, and trade. National average per capita footprints vary from 1 tCO2e/y in African countries to 30t/y in Luxembourg and the United States. The expenditure elasticity is 0.57. The cross-national...
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...naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere and help to keep the planet hospitable to life by trapping some of the sun’s natural heat. Without this “greenhouse effect,” the Earth’s average surface temperature would be about 33 degrees Celsius cooler than it is currently.4 The most important naturally occurring GHGs associated with this phenomenon are water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).Other greenhouse gases (e.g., fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities. The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are: * Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle. * Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills. * Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. * Fluorinated Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride...
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...large amount of Carbon Dioxide emission. This Green House gas (GHG) attributed to the environmental warming and resulted in an increase of 0.74 degree for past 100 years. Rising global temperatures will cause sea level to rise and alter local climate conditions, affecting forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It may also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand and some of our countryside may be permanently altered. This concern has drawn World attention towards Carbon Management. The last 20 years have witnessed increasing momentum for international environmental policy efforts in order to avoid 'dangerous' anthropogenic climate change. Major achievements in the process so far have been the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol (KP) in 1997, which entered into force in 2005. Carbon Management Carbon management is the control of carbon emissions within the economic, social, and technical and policy constraints through the reductions of carbon sources and the enhancements of carbon sinks. When implemented effectively, CPM techniques can reduce operating costs, realizing gains in brand equity, competitive advantage and stakeholder value. It basically focuses on developing break-through technologies for the large scale reduction (e.g. alternative, low carbon, energy sources), removal (e.g. gas separation from flue emissions) and sequestration (e.g. long term...
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...is altered. Consequently, there are some applicable rules relevant to scientific concepts specifically the steps leading to the Scientific Method that affirm the validity of research. Theories of law and nature are subject to change, based on new observations (Wiley, 2010). Testing and observation allows proven evidence (scientific method) that become facts and not fiction. I was compelled to apply the scientific method in real life because I am making a conscious effort to think more deeply about the impact of lifestyle choices on overall carbon emissions. I recently considered earth-friendly ways to commute to work and give my car a break. I decided to walk to work because driving emits carbon dioxide and is a contributing factor to global warming. I now walk to work three days out of the week instead of two days to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money on fuel, and have influence over curbing vehicle emissions to reduce the air pollution as well as traffic congestion. I drive a 2007 Infiniti M35X 4-wheel drive automatic with a 3.5 6 cylinder engine, fueled by gasoline. The fuel economy (mpg) for my vehicle is 16 estimated miles-per-gallon in the city and 22 estimated miles-per-gallon on the highway. As indicated, The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)...
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...worldwide revenues, and provides the basis for a multitude of related service and support industries. Automobiles revolutionized transportation in the 20th century, changing forever the way people live, travel, and do business. The energy that automobile industry use to produce vehicles will result carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which the most significant of the green house gases(GHG). Historian Mark Foster has estimated that “fully one-third of the total environmental damage caused by automobiles occurred before they were sold and driven.” He cited a study that estimated that fabricating one car produced 29 tons of waste and 1,207 million cubic yards of polluted air. Extracting iron ore, bauxite, petroleum, copper, lead, and a variety of other raw materials to process steel, aluminum, plastics, glass, rubber, and other products necessary to construct automobiles consumes limited resources, uses great amounts of energy, and has serious environmental repercussions. Nowadays, environmental problems are becoming more and more serious in the all area of the world. The automotive industry is one of the largest contributors to CO2 emissions (David, 2009). Carbon dioxide emission that result from automobile industry are one of the factor caused global warming which one of the major issues we being faced with. Most researchers are in agreement that greenhouse gases from industry and agriculture have...
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...offsets are actions the University can take to counteract unavoidable carbon emissions and to counteract other emissions generated off campus. Carbon reductions are actions to lower carbon emissions generated on campus. In addition to all of the individual student proposals that all offset or reduce CO2 emissions in their own unique way, there are a number of projects being proposed to the campus as well as a number of projects already in place on University grounds that offset or reduce CO2 emissions that the university is responsible for generating directly or indirectly. There is a fine line between offsets and reductions and it is important to understand the difference. In order to discuss offsets, it is important to understand why people make CO2 offsets. There are a number of various carbon emissions that are unavoidable at this point in time due to societal structure like dependence on fossil fuels for transportation and some of the University’s utility use. Until major societal change occurs, like the removal of our dependence on fossil fuel and a total jump to renewable energy for our utility and transportation needs. Students, faculty and staff that commute to campus emit unavoidable CO2 emissions on a daily. Total wind purchase from the utility company does not offset the effects of natural gas use for heating (water and living space) and cooking preparation needs. To counteract these emissions the campus can continue to support carbon offsetting project like * Sustainable...
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...CO2 Usage and Transportation: An evaluation of fuel consumption and emissions Introduction From this class I have come to understand the reach and reality of global warming. Every purchase I make has an impact regardless of how minute I feel it is. Many other consumers are faced with the same choices globally. It is those who consciously decide as an individual to purchase items with smaller carbon footprints that can make a difference as a whole. There is a broad spectrum of choices to be made as a consumer everything from groceries to the transportation method used to get them can be evaluated. Grocery shopping for many Americans, myself included, consists of making purchases based on taste preference and cost. However, intergrading the actual dollar value as well as taxation on the environment of production into the cost of that product could drastically reduce our carbon footprint. Hamershlag (2011) found the three highest production emission levels come from lamb, beef, and cheese respectively. Production emissions in this case can be defined as all emissions prior and post product leaving the farm. Taking a closer look at beef, one of the highest consumed meats in our country, for every 2.2 pounds of meat 59.6 pounds of CO2e, carbon dioxide equivalents are produced. If several consumers individual substituted chicken for beef the reduction of CO2e would be staggering. This change in one purchase is a reduction of 44.6lb of CO2e. Take that to the global...
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...Footprint Indicators……………………………………………….…...7 12. Conclusion & Recommendations………………………………………………………8 13. References…………………………………………………………....................……….9 14. Appendices.......................................................................................................….........................10 Executive Summary The ecological footprint of the SBRC building at the University of Wollongong was investigated; this includes investigating the water and the carbon footprint of the building. A complete life cycle assessment was conducted on the SBRC building to calculate its water and carbon footprint. According to the data collected during this report it has been observed that concrete is the highest contributor of CO2 emissions. Respectively, steel was the highest contributor to the water footprint. Nonetheless, the whole design for the SBRC has a low ecological...
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