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Carbon Footprint Issues

A carbon footprint measures the impact we have on the environment, especially climate change, also known as global warming. It is measured by the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced, per person, to directly and indirectly support human activities. The measurement is given in metric tons. Whether heating a house, operating a car, or producing goods, fossil fuels are usually burned. When they are burned, they leave a carbon footprint.

  1. Electricity

    • According to the website Time for a Change, 72 percent of greenhouse gasses emitted is CO2, and 41 percent, the largest source, of all CO2 emissions in the U.S.A., according to the EPA, come from electricity production. This amount could be greatly reduced by each person using less electricity; for example, by drying clothes outside instead of in a dryer, turning off lights not being used, and turning on the air-conditioner only when necessary.

    Transportation

    • In 2006, according to the EPA, petroleum was the main source of national energy, accounting for 47 percent of fossil fuel energy consumption, making it the second largest source of CO2 production, behind coal. Two-thirds of emissions are from cars and light-duty trucks, and the other third is from planes, trains and transport trucks. According to Time for a Change, driving a car produces twice the carbon footprint of public transportation. This and car pools are a simple way to greatly reduce personal carbon footprints.

    Alternatives

    • Using less or going without is not always feasible, but finding cleaner, more environmentally-friendly alternatives is. Many renewable alternatives to coal for producing electricity are available, like hydroelectricity, which according to The University of Oregon, is four times cheaper than coal. Wind power is also a cleaner alternative and costs about the same as coal. If driving a car is a must, many hybrid cars contribute less to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Green Car Club, hybrids emit 90 percent less tailpipe emissions than gas cars.

    Imminent Disaster

    • There is a direct relationship between CO2 emissions and global temperature. CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have dramatically increased in the last 50 years, and still increase by about 2 to 3 percent each year, according to Time for a Change. If this continues, temperatures will rise about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050, bringing with it catastrophic climate changes. As of 2005, CO2 emissions are about 4 tons per year per person, 20 tons per North American. To avert catastrophe, this number must drop to 2 tons per person.

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