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CARBON FOOTPRINTWhat can you do to lower yours?

Mohammed AlshammariBen Bahlenhorst

Zheng FuJoe Hill

Ian LairdLong Nguyen

Binh Phan Application 13.1

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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 CO 2.

• “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).

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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.

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ElectricityBackground: 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 2 at 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 2 emission phases are fuelled by low carbon energy sources.

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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.

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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.

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How To ReduceNo 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.

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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/comm

ercialresidential.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_footprin

t http://www.livestrong.com/article/156559-facts-about-the-carbon

-footprint/ http://www.parliament.uk/documents/post/postpn_383-carbon-fo

otprint-electricity-generation.pdf