Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Footprint
Carbon Dioxide
At normal pressure and temperature, carbon dioxide is a colorless, non-flammable gas. Carbon dioxide has a significant role in the composition of our planet's air, while being far less prevalent than nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere. One carbon atom and two oxygen atoms make up the molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2).
As a significant greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide aids in keeping heat in the atmosphere. Our earth would be uninhabitably cold without it. However, a rise in average global temperatures brought on by rising CO2 levels in our atmosphere is affecting other facets of Earth's climate.
In dry air, carbon dioxide is the fourth most prevalent element. The atmosphere currently contains more than 400 ppm (parts per million) of it. The atmospheric concentration was close to 270 ppm prior to industrial activities. Thus, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by around 40%, which is increasing the earth's temperature.
How is heat trapped by carbon dioxide?
You have undoubtedly previously heard that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases capture some of the heat that Earth could otherwise radiate into space, but how precisely can some molecules absorb heat? To get the solution, one must examine physics and chemistry in depth.
When sunlight hits the surface of the Earth, some of the light's energy is absorbed and then reradiated as infrared waves, which humans experience as heat. You can experience this phenomena for yourself by placing your palm over a dark rock on a warm, sunny day. These infrared rays ascend into the atmosphere and, if undisturbed, will reenter space.
Because oxygen and nitrogen absorb energy with wavelengths that are close together, such as 200 nanometers or less, whereas infrared energy has larger wavelengths, such as 700 to 1,000,000 nanometers, oxygen and nitrogen do not interfere with infrared waves in the atmosphere. Because certain wavelength ranges don't overlap, oxygen and nitrogen act as if infrared waves don't even exist, allowing heat and waves to travel freely through the atmosphere.
It's different with CO2 and other greenhouse gases. For instance, carbon dioxide absorbs light at a range of wavelengths between 2,000 and 15,000 nanometers, which overlaps with the infrared spectrum. When CO2 vibrates, it reemits the infrared energy in all directions after absorbing it. The "greenhouse effect" is a result of around half of that energy leaving the planet and returning as heat.
How have carbon dioxide emissions changed
throughout time at a global scale?
The graph below shows the increase in worldwide emissions from the middle of the 18th century to the present.
We can observe that emissions were very minimal before the Industrial Revolution. Emissions growth remained comparatively slow until the middle of the 20th century. The globe released 6 billion tonnes of CO2 in 1950. This amount nearly quadrupled by 1990, topping out at over 22 billion tonnes. We currently emit about 34 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and emissions have continued to climb quickly.
CO2 emissions
We can see that up until the middle of the 20th century, Europe and the US accounted for the majority of world emissions. Even by 1950, they were responsible for more than 85% of emissions annually. In 1900, more than 90% of emissions were produced in Europe or the US.
However, there has been a substantial change in recent decades. The rest of the globe, especially Asia and most notably China, had a large increase in emissions in the second half of the 20th century. Currently, about one third of emissions are produced in the US and Europe.
Carbon Footprint
Regardless of lifestyle, every person leaves a carbon footprint on the world (energy consumption, activities carried out, etc). A person's total greenhouse gas emissions, both directly and indirectly, associated with supporting their lifestyle and activities are referred to as their "carbon footprint." A person, an organization, a product, or an event, among others, may have a carbon footprint that is quantified in equivalent tons of CO2 over the course of a year.
The creation and utilization of fossil fuels, food, manufactured items, materials, roads, and transportation can all contribute to the greenhouse gases that make up a person's carbon footprint. Despite their significance, carbon footprints are challenging to precisely assess due to a lack of information and incomplete data on the intricate interconnections between contributing systems, including the impact of natural processes that absorb or release carbon dioxide.
How to calculate the carbon footprint?
There are mainly 3 categories where the carbon footprint can be measured, by individual, by company and by product.
The Personal Carbon Footprint is a tool used to assess how an individual's actions affect the environment. Its calculation enables you to adjust your consumption patterns and minimize or optimize your energy efficiency to lessen your impact on the environment.
There are several things to consider when calculating your annual personal carbon footprint. Transportation includes both routine travels, like those made by car, bus, metro, train, or bicycle, and more unusual ones, such those made by airplane. The relationship between housing and energy depends on factors such as the type of habitation (home, apartment, etc.), its size, the number of occupants, the electrical appliances used, the energy generated, the type of heating utilized, and others. Additionally, there are consumption and lifestyle factors including diet, trash disposal, and composting.
The effect of a firm's operations on the environment is referred to as the carbon footprint of a company or organization. A company's greenhouse gas emissions must be calculated while accounting for any direct or indirect effects brought on by the expansion of its economic activity.
More attempts are made every year in Europe to persuade businesses to take the lead on climate action and achieve carbon neutrality.
The total emissions produced during a product's or service's life cycle, from the extraction of the raw material to the point of consumption, are included in the carbon footprint of that good or service. The life cycle's many stages include raw material extraction and transportation, product development, distribution, usage, and end of useful life.
What steps can you take to reduce your carbon footprint?
In general, single-family homes use more energy per inhabitant than multifamily housing, particularly apartment complexes. However, there are things you can do to lower the amount of energy your home uses and so lessen your carbon impact, regardless of where you reside.
Compared to standard incandescent light bulbs, energy-efficient light bulbs like compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs use less electricity. You will also reduce your household energy costs by switching to LED's for your lighting fixtures. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature in your home according to the time of day. Your carbon footprint decreases when your home's energy system is operating well because it wastes less energy.
Appliances that are energy-efficient utilize less energy. Look for the energy efficiency label when buying new equipment like a refrigerator, range cooker, microwave, or air conditioner to reduce your carbon footprint and save energy, money, and the environment.
Almost every kind of transportation uses energy, which affects your carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide is emitted by all gasoline-powered cars, and the bigger and heavier the car, the more carbon dioxide is emitted. Cars that receive regular maintenance use less energy. Make sure the tires are constantly correctly inflated and that the air filter is changed on a regular basis.
Energy is needed from farms, factories, vehicles, grocery shops, and more for the production, processing, packing, transportation, and distribution of food. A vegetarian's carbon footprint is often smaller than a non-vegetarian's because a vegetarian diet excludes meat. If you typically eat organic food, you have a reduced carbon footprint because producing organic food is less stressful on the environment.
Even pure water that enters our drains and sewers must be treated at water treatment facilities. Your carbon footprint can be decreased by simply using the water you actually need.
Recycling protects the environment by preventing garbage from entering landfills and trash incinerators. Your carbon footprint is lower if you recycle frequently.
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