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Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint. What can you do to lower yours?. Mohammed Alshammari Ben Bahlenhorst Zheng Fu Joe Hill Ian Laird Long Nguyen Binh Phan. Application 13.1. Definition & Facts.

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Carbon Footprint

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  1. Carbon Footprint What can you do to lower yours? Mohammed Alshammari Ben Bahlenhorst Zheng Fu Joe Hill Ian Laird Long Nguyen BinhPhan Application 13.1

  2. Definition & Facts • Carbon Footprint:The amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc. • In 2009, the average American’s carbon footprint was equivalent to 28 tons of CO2. • “Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels accounted for 82 percent of the greenhouse gas released in 2006” (Van Beest). • “The carbon footprint concept took hold at a 1979 U.S. Senate energy committee discussion” (Van Beest).

  3. Major Sources of CO2 • Electricity Production: • Largest contributor to CO2 emissions. • Transportation: • Fossil fuels are burned to power ships, trains, planes, and automobiles. • Industry: • Chemical reactions are necessary to produce goods from raw materials. • Commercial and Residential: • Fossil fuels are burned for heat. • Agriculture: • Emissions come from livestock, like cows, agricultural soils, and rice production.

  4. Electricity Background: • No electricity generation technology is ‘carbon free’. • All electricity generation technologies have a carbon footprint. • 8 different electricity generation technologies analyzed. Result: • All electricity generation technologies emit CO 2at some point during their life cycle. • Fossil fuelled electricity generation has the largest carbon footprint (>1,000gCO 2 eq/kWh). • ‘Low carbon’ technologies have low carbon footprints (<100gCO 2 eq/kWh). • Future carbon footprints can be reduced for all electricity generation technologies if the high CO 2emission phases are fuelled by low carbon energy sources.

  5. Automobiles • Average CO2 emissions from 1 gallon of gasoline = 8,887 grams of CO2 per gallon. • The average vehicle emits 5.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year, and 55 metric tons over the course of a decade. • Find your annual CO2 emissions = (CO2 per gallon (8,887g) ÷ MPG) * annual miles traveled • Hybrid cars emit far less than the average (≈4 metric tons annually). • A more competitive commodity in the carbon footprint market than traditional automobiles. • Depends on consumer demand for less GHG emissions. • New Fuel Economy labels indicate Fuel Economy & Green House Gas Emissions Rating and Smog Rating for new cars. • Assists consumer decision making in the GHG market.

  6. Industry Background: • Third major source of CO 2. • Cement, iron, steel industry, and chemical production account for the majority of CO 2. • CO 2 is generated directly (burning fossil fuels) or indirectly (using electricity) through the manufacturing process. Results: • CO 2 emissions in industries continue to increase due to economic and population growth. • The US Environmental Protection Agency has calculated carbon footprints for paper, plastic, glass, cans, computers, carpet, and tires. • Developing countries don’t have strong enforcements on CO 2 emissions for industries. • Only a few manufacturers put carbon labels on their products.

  7. How To Reduce No standard method for computing a carbon footprint at this point. Solutions: • Each government issues a standard method for calculating carbon footprints. • Continue passing new emission standards. • Carbon labels: • Manufacturers must provide carbon labels on their products. • Consumer Behavior: • Educate consumers about carbon footprints. • Change the way you consume. For example: buy energy saving bulbs. • Technology: • Switch from fossil fueled electricity to wind, nuclear, and hydro electricity. • Continue researching hybrid, diesel, and electricity technology for transportation.

  8. Works Cited • http://brighterplanet.com/entries/48-average_carbon_footprint • http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html • http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/commercialresidential.html • http://www.epa.gov/oms/climate/documents/420f11041.pdf • http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt1 • http://green.wikia.com/wiki/How_to_reduce_your_carbon_footprint • http://www.livestrong.com/article/156559-facts-about-the-carbon-footprint/ • http://www.parliament.uk/documents/post/postpn_383-carbon-footprint-electricity-generation.pdf

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