CARBON FOOTPRINT

Act before its too late

By: students of class 10 A Group no-9

INTRODUCTION

Something to draw you all in....TASK1. Read these instructions first.2. Close your eyes.3. Breathe in slowly to the count of 3.4. Breathe out to the count of 3.5. Repeat 3 times steps 2, 3 and 4.6. Question to think about as you are breathing- What gas are

you breathing out? CARBON DIOXIDE which leads us to.....

IMAGINATION TIME.......

Now taking the idea of carbon out of carbon dioxide, think about wandering along a sandy beach, when you look behind you, what do you see....

SO NOW WE HAVE THE CONCEPT TITLE

But what does it mean????

CARBON FOOTPRINT!!

WHAT IS CARBON FOOTPRINT

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. 

BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES

1. PRIMARY CARBON FOOTPRINT This is a measure of how much carbon dioxide is

given out directly by energy consumption so you are in control of this type of carbon footprint.

2. SECONDARY CARBON FOOTPRINT This is a measure of carbon dioxide given out

that is not under your control by products you consume.

CLASSIFYING CARBON FOOTPRINT ACTIVITY

PRIMARY CARBON FOOTPRINT

SECONDARY CARBON FOOTPRINT

Home appliances permanently switched on

Imported food

Flying to work from London to Shoreham

Ready meals

Using a car to drive into town for 2 minutes

Eating large quantities of red meat

Energy efficient condenser boiler

Cheese-strings

Using a tumble drier Drinking bottled/filtered water only

CONTD…..The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalentA carbon footprint is "the

total set of Green house gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person. Greenhouse gases can be emitted through transport, land clearance, and the production and consumption of food, fuels.

CONTD….The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar  or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsettingThe main influences on carbon footprints include population, economic output, and energy and carbon intensity of the economy.These factors are the main targets of individuals and businesses in order to decrease carbon footprints. Scholars suggest the most effective way to decrease a carbon footprint is to either decrease the amount of energy needed for production or to decrease the dependence on carbon emitting fuels. 

Examining an average person’s carbon footprint

AVERAGE CARBON EMISSIONS PER

PERSON BY COUNTRYThe Average Carbon Footprint in the United States vs. World The average U.S. household carbon footprint is about 50 tons CO2e per year. The single largest source of emissions for the typical household is from driving (gasoline use). Transportation as a whole (driving, flying & small amount from public transit) is the largest overall category, followed by housing (electricity, natural gas, waste, construction) then food (mostly from red meat, dairy and seafood products, but also includes emissions from all other food), then goods followed lastly by services. The carbon footprint of U.S. households is about 5 times greater than the global average, which is approximately 10 tons CO2e per household per year. For most U.S. households, the single most important action to reduce their carbon footprint is driving less or switching to a more efficient vehicle.

DIRECT CARBON EMISSIONS

The following table compares, from peer-reviewed studies of full life cycle emissions and from various other studies, the carbon footprint of various forms of energy generation: nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar cell, peat and wind generation technology.

These three studies thus concluded that hydroelectric, wind, and nuclear power produced

the least CO2 per kilowatt-hour of any other

electricity sources. These figures do not allow for emissions due to accidents or terrorism. Wind power and solar power, emit no carbon from the operation, but do leave a footprint during construction phase and maintenance during operation. Hydropower from reservoirs also has large footprints from initial removal of vegetation and ongoing methane (stream detritus decays anaerobically to methane in bottom of reservoir,

rather than aerobically to CO2 if it had stayed in an

unrestricted stream.

The carbon footprint of energy

The Vattenfall study found renewable and nuclear generation responsible for far less CO2 than fossil fuel generation.

PASSENGER TRANSPORTFlightSome representative figures for CO2 emissions are provided by LIPASTO's survey of average direct emissions (not accounting for high-altitude radiative effects) of airliners expressed as CO2 and CO2 equivalent per passenger kilometre: Domestic, short distance, less than 463 km (288 mi): 257 g/km CO2 or 259 g/km (14.7 oz/mile) CO2e Long distance flights: 113 g/km CO2 or 114 g/km (6.5 oz/mile) CO2e

RoadCO2 emissions per passenger kilometre (pkm) for all road travel for 2011 in Europe as provided by the European Environment Agency:109 g/pkm CO2 (Figure 2)For vehicles, average figures for CO2 emissions per kilometre for road travel for 2013 in Europe, normalized to the NEDC test cycle, are provided by the International Council on Clean Transportation:Newly registered passenger cars: 127 g/km CO2

Hybrid-electric vehicles: 92 g/km CO2

Light commercial vehicles (LCV): 175 g/km CO2

Average figures for the United States are provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency, based on the EPA Federal Test Procedure, for the following categories:Passenger cars: 322 g/mi (200 g/km) CO2

Trucks: 450 g/mi (280 g/km) CO2

Combined: 369 g/mi (229 g/km) CO2

CONTD…..RailIn 2005, the US company Amtrak's carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per passenger kilometre were 0.116 kg,about twice as high as the UK rail average (where much more of the system is electrified), and about eight times a Finnish electric intercity train.SeaAverage carbon dioxide emissions by ferries per passenger-kilometre seem to be 0.12 kg (4.2 oz).  However, 18-knot ferries between Finland and Sweden produce 0.221 kg (7.8 oz) of CO2, with total emissions equalling a CO2 equivalent of 0.223 kg (7.9 oz), while 24–27-knot ferries between Finland and Estonia produce 0.396 kg (14.0 oz) of CO2 with total emissions equalling a CO2 equivalent of 0.4 kg (14 oz).

IND IRECT CARBON EMISS IONS: THE CARBON FOOTPR INTS OF PRODUCTS

In a 2014 study by Scarborough et al., the real-life diets of British people were surveyed and their dietary greenhouse gas footprints estimated. Average dietary greenhouse-gas emissions per day (in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent) were:7.19 for high meat-eaters5.63 for medium meat-eaters4.67 for low meat-eaters3.91 for fish-eaters3.81 for vegetarians2.89 for vegans

Food

Materials

The carbon footprint of materials (also known as embodied carbon) varies widely. The carbon footprint of many common materials can be found in the Inventory of Carbon & Energy database, and LCA databases via openLCA Nexus

CONTD…TextilesThe precise carbon footprint of different textiles varies considerably according to a wide range of factors. However, studies of textile production in Europe suggest the following carbon dioxide equivalent emissions footprints per kilo of texile at the point of purchase by a consumer:

Cotton: 7

Nylon: 5.43

PET (e.g. synthetic fleece): 5.55

Wool: 5.48

Accounting for durability and energy required to wash and dry textile products, synthetic fabrics generally have a substantially lower carbon footprint than natural ones

Cement

Cement production and carbon footprint resulting from soil sealing was 8.0 Mg person−1 of total per capita CO2 emissions (Italy, year 2003); the balance between C loss due to soil sealing and C stocked in man-made infrastructures resulted in a net loss to the atmosphere, -0.6 Mg C ha−1 y−1

HEAT ENGINEHeat engine is a device which converts heat into mechanical energy continuously. A heat engine basically consists of a cylinder fitted with a smooth piston & a working substance enclosed within it .Depending on the method of producing & transferring heat energy to the working substance, heat engines are classified into two types viz, EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE & INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.The internal combustion engine can be a petrol (or gas) engine or a diesel engine.In all these, working substance is in gaseous form . It expands due to heat. During expansion, the piston is pushed outwards. The moving piston does external work. Thus heat is converted into mechanical energy.

EFFICIENCY OF HEAT ENGINE

A heat engine converts heat into work continuously. For this, the steps of working have to be repeated i.e. the engine comes to the initial stage again & again. During this, all the heat absorbed can not be converted into work i.e. some amount of heat is not used or lost every time.The efficiency of heat engine is defined as : EFFICIENCY = =.100% of work (mechanical energy) can be converted into heat, but 100% of heat absorbed can not be converted to work.Low efficiency is also because of the heat loss due to friction.

EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (STEAM ENGINE)

When 1cc of water is heated at constant pressure, the resulting steam occupies about 1700cc. This enormous expansion exerts a lot of force on the piston. To generate steam, water is heated in a chamber (boiler), outside the cylinder. Thus it is called external combustion engine.The exhausted steam condenses to water which is again utilised to produce steam. This gives out energy as lost or not used.The position when both the valves are closed is called ‘dead position’. Stopping at this point is avoided by the momentum of the rotating heavy wheel.Efficiency of early steam engines was only 1 to 2 %. Modern steam engines have efficiency of about 40%

LIMITATIONS OF STEAM ENGINES

The steam chamber (boiler) may burst due to high pressure & lead to accidents.Steam engine, along with the boiler etc.. is very bulky.The temperature difference is less between the high pressure, steam input & the steam exhausted through outlet . i.e.T1-T2 is not large. Thus the efficiency is low.The initial starting time for steam engine is very long since a large amount of water needs to be heated & boiled to steam on the chamber, to stare. This is inconvenient.Thus now-a days, steam engines are mostly replaces by internal combustion engines.

CONTD…..

In petrol or gas engine ,the combustion is initiated by an electric spark whereas , in a diesel engine , it is due to high temperature obtained by compression.

The petrol as well as the diesel engines can be four stroke or two stroke. To complete one cycle of operation (from intake of fuel to pushing out exhaust gases) two stroke engines require two strokes of piston while the four stroke engines require four strokes of piston.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

The fuel of an internal combustion engine is an inflammable material. It can be petrol or diesel or gas.

The fuel is burnt with air inside the main cylinder connected with piston. The cylinder contains air which required for combustion. Thus, it is called internal combustion engine.

As a result ,a large amount of CARBON DIOXIDE & CARBON MONOXIDE etc. are produced along with high temperature.

A s the gas expand ,the piston is pushed ,giving mechanical energy. The piston ,while coming back, pushes out the used up gases. Fresh fuel enters the cylinder & the process is repeated

PETROL ENGINE(4-STROKE)

This is also called an Otto engine since this was designed by N.A.Otto in 1876.

The petrol from the tank goes to a device called carburettor. The petrol-air mixture is produced in it.

WORKING1st STROKE: (Intake stroke):The inlet valve is open. The descending piston draws fresh petrol-air mixture into the cylinder from the carburettor

2nd STROKE: (compressipon stroke):Both the valves are closed. The rising piston compresses the mixture to a pressure of about 8 atmospheres .The mixture is ignited by electric spark produced by the spark plug

4th STROKE (EXHAUST stroke):

The exhaust valve is opened. The rising piston discharges the burnt gases from the cylinder. Just before the piston moves downwards, V2 is closed & V1 is opened , stroke 1 continues & the next cycle begins.

3rd STROKE: (Power stroke):Both valves are closed as in the 2nd stroke .The combustion of fuel produces high temperature(2000 C) & the pressure (15atm. This forces the piston downwards. The moving piston rotates the crankshaft & the wheel connected to it

DIESEL ENGINE

The operation of this is similar to that of petrol engine. A fuel injector is present instead of a spark plug and the mixing of air and fuel takes place inside the cylinder itself instead of the carburettor. The rest of the construction is same.Intake stroke:Fresh air is sucked through the inlet valve (exhaust valve is closed).

Compression stroke:Both the valves are closed. Piston compresses the air to about 1/10 to 1/18 of the initial volume. Due to this, the temperature rises to about 900°c. At this point fuel is injected into the cylinder in the form of a fine spray through the fuel injector.

Power stroke:

Both the valves are closed. Due to high temperature ,the fuel gets vaporised & ignites producing high temperature & pressure. This pushes the piston & rotates the wheel.

Exhaust stroke:The exhaust valve is opened. The piston moves up due to inertia & discharges the spent gases via the exhaust

The combustion is outside the cylinder( i.e., external).

Large in size.

Low efficiency.

Initial starting takes a long time.

Causes LESS AIR POLLUTION since no gases like CO2,CO are emitted.

The combustion is within the cylinder( i.e., internal).

Small in size.

High efficiency

Quicker initial start.

Causes MORE AIR POLLUTION since it produces gasses like CO2, CO, etc.

External combustion engine Internal combustion engine

DISADVANTAGE OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

The most important disadvantage of using a petrol or diesel engine is that it emits a lot of carbon di oxide & carbon monoxide gases which causes environmental degradation ,increase in global worming, depletion of ozone layer & various health disorders for the transport users

So one of the best way is to minimize co2 emission & people are practising it by undergoing emission test for their vehicles. But that alone is not enough.

For achieving this we have to either use non conventional sources like solar powered vehicles, electricity powered or the best is cycling, but people would not afford to it.

Finally, now we are introducing you to a renewable & cheap source of fuel - Pongamia Pinnata.

BIOFUELThe awareness at the policy level about the need to adopt low carbon and sustainable energy option is an indicator of wider acceptance of by far the biggest environmental challenge - climate change. Liquid biofuels primarily due to their potential role in climate change adaptation have been a subject of intense discussion since last few years. The various studies world over on the subject of biofuels have focused in general on the various negative environmental impacts of biofuel production and especially on the impact of large scale biofuel plantation on food production, which has led to the popular food versus fuel debate and further research on this topic. Surprisingly enough most of these studies have overlooked the feedstock options available in the vast and diverse plant kingdom for sustainable production of biofuels even when the use of biomass as a source of energy is as old as human existence. As a result, the opportunities for linking biodiversity conservation with biofuel productions were also missed in a big way.

The efforts made by Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) a research NGO working in the field of participatory conservation in the northern western Ghats, India to establish synergetic relationship between energy needs and biodiversity conservation by promoting high conservation value species as feedstock material for biofuel production definitely provide the evidence to believe that biofuels could be produced in biodiversity friendly manner.

 

The AERF began its work in the field of bio-energy 5 years ago by undertaking resource assessment of native tree species – Pongamia pinnata in Maharashtra, India. Pongamia pinnata an oilseed bearing tree species is highly promising feedstock material for biofuel production however is preferred for its use as fuelwood. This is precisely due to the lack of awareness about its potential as biofuel feedstock and misplaced biofuel policy in countries like India.

 

The resource assessment carried out in 150 villages in two different agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra- Raigad district (coastal region with high rainfall) and Solapur district ( arid zone and rain shadow area) brought forth some important findings. Pongamia pinnata is widely and evenly distributed in both the agro-climatic zones. More significantly, it also grows in coastal areas and tolerates salinity as well as water logging. In most of the villages, local people were not aware about the use of Pongamia pinnata oil as source of energy.

The traditional knowledge associated with use of this species was also hardly documented. We found that lack of economic incentive exposed this resource to over harvesting for fuelwood purpose. It was also found out that quite a few blocks from Raigad and Solapur district had healthy populations of Pongamia pinnata and promoting non-timber use of this resource was only way to arrest cutting of this tree for fuelwood purpose. Thus in 2006, AERF launched an initiative for collection and processing of Pongamia oilseeds at cluster level for biofuel production and creating livelihood opportunities for the local communities. Through the project – Decentralised Biodiesel Resource centers for improving rural energy services and creating sustainable livelihoods, AERF has been promoting the use of native and high conservation value tree species for localized biofuel production for last four years. AERF established two such centers by the beginning of 2007. These centers have not only provided income generation opportunities to local people from about 70 villages but also created awareness about non-timber value of this important native biofuel feedstock.

In the last two years, AERF has tried to promote use of other promising and native oilseed bearing tree species Madhuca indica, Madhuca latifolia and Calophyllum innophyllum as feedstock for localized biofuel production.

Systematic resource assessment of all these species was carried out in the coastal districts of Maharashtra viz. Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg for understanding the density, distribution and abundance of this resource covering about 300 villages. Out of these three species, Calophyllum innophyllum is an IUCN Redlist species and is found in coastal regions of Southeast Asia as well as on every island of Polynesia and Micronesia. During the investigation, it has also been found that Calophyllum innophyllum serves as keystone species and has many ecosystem functions viz. shoreline protection, wind breaker, preferred feeding habitat for bats besides producing high yielding oilseeds (55% oil /unit), similarly Madhuca indica has been considered a Sacred tree by many tribal communities in India on account of its various uses( its leaves are used for soil preparation in agriculture, flowers are used for making traditional wine and in earlier times its oil was used for cooking purposes). From ecological viewpoint, this tree also supports a healthy population of bats as fruit bats feed on its fruits and are also responsible for its dispersal. Its seeds contain about 45% Oil and the oil has the required characteristics for its use as biofuel feedstock (Bhatt YC et al 2004) . Moreover, its oil-cake has tremendous potential for biogas generation ( Rama Chandra et al 2006) . Madhuca indica is found in dry and deciduous forests in India and as many as in nine Indian states its use as biofuel feedstock could be promoted.

PONGEMIA TREE

It is also called as Honge tree in kannada.

We can usually see it on road sides as it is available as plenty in nature.

In over 70 villages in Raigad district of Maharashtra, these trees are planted(usually 2-3 trees per house) in front of their houses.

This provides shelter to a variety of animals & provides a cooling effect during day time. So people prefer to stay under this tree & interestingly people of Raigad district sleep under this tree during sunshine to get fresh air

CONTD

People of Raigad district have an average life expectancy of about 85 years.

A recent survey showed that the reason for this is due to the plantation of Pongemia trees.

This tree is in the top of the list to photosynthesise.

So, it gives out a lot of oxygen for animals to respire & since this district has a good transport facility, there will be no pollution coz all amount of o2 produced will be absorbed by this tree to photosynthesise.

Therefore this helps in reduction of the pollutants in the air we breathe.

Not only does it provide good air for humans to respire, OIL is extracted from the seeds this tree produce which can be used as a fuel which completely oxidises to give out energy .

So finally the basic idea of us is to tell YOU that these seeds of PONGEMIA tree can be used to extract oil for the use of RUNNING VEHICLES instead of using petrol/diesel which do not oxidise completely & which are expensive

These oils are cheaply available & eco friendly. So poor people can easily afford it to buy .(1 litre of Pongemia oil costs about 35 rupees.)

Finally we have got to know that the efficiency of internal combustion engine is more than any system but it depends on us for what type of fuel we use.

Not only these trees, even oil as a fuel can be extracted from other commonly found trees such as Madhuca Insignis.

These fuel rates are only 35 rupees for a litre which emits no pollutants.

CLICK BELOW TO READ A ARTICLE RELATED TO PONGEMIA TREE

CONCLUSION FOR BIOFUEL

The type of feed stocks selected by the leading bio-diesel producing countries such as Brazil , USA , Germany and Malaysia ( Sugarcane, corn, rapeseed and Palm respectively) provide sufficient evidence for absence of biodiversity friendly species in the supply chain of these production systems which is also the limiting factor for mitigating the negative impact of biofuel production on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It also serves an indicator for total negligence on behalf of policy makers towards biodiversity while offering subsidies for large scale cultivation of these crops. Absence of biodiversity relevant biofuel policy puts serious restrictions on use and integration of high conservation value species in biofuel production which in turn isolate the efforts towards conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity from this highly important sector.

More than 300 native and non-edible oilseed species have been identified worldwide which are suitable for biodiesel production. In India which is one of 17 mega diverse countries of the world, there are more than 200 oilseed bearing trees having potential for biofuel production. Out of these 200 tree species, at least 50 have high conservation value based on the various ecosystem services these species offer and their conservation status. The World list of threatened trees (Oldfield et al 1998) estimated that 10% of world’s tree species were threatened with extinction. Given the ecological, economic and cultural importance of trees this was clearly of great concern. But as yet the conservation responses for trees and the allocation of resources are inadequate given the scale of the extinction crisis ( Oldfield S. 2008). There is high probability of availing resources for conducting research on high conservation value tree species and thereby saving them from extinction if these are integrated into supply chain of biofuel sector which is attracting investments in billions of dollars worldwide. More importantly, biofuels have been looked at as practical climate change mitigation strategy, by integrating biodiversity into the biofuel sector; we can ensure well being of human beings as well as biodiversity.

Currently 1,002 tree species are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, 26 more than when The World List of Threatened Trees was published. Many of these species have been reduced to 50 individuals in the wild and may already be functionally extinct, with isolated individuals persisting in forest fragments. Urgent action is needed to conserve and restore these species and to prevent more species slipping into the Critically Endangered category. In the longer term issues that will need to be considered are how to value the full range of services provided by trees, over and above the financial value of specific products, and how to provide incentives for their long-term conservation ( Oldfield S. 2008). The promotion of sustainable use of certain high conservation value trees possessing considerable potential for biofuel production can create the multiplicator effect and positive impact for biodiversity globally. Especially, because while dealing with the environmental challenge of climate change little consideration is being given to biodiversity conservation. Biofuels which till date has been the cause of worry for conservationists actually can provide avenues for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity if suitable policy frameworks are put in place.

CO2 EMISSIONS ARE BEING OUTSOURCED BY RICH COUNTRIESThe world's richest countries are increasingly outsourcing their carbon pollution to China and other rising economies, according to a draft UN report.

Outsourcing of emissions comes in the form of electronic devices such as smartphones, cheap clothes and other goods manufactured in China and other rising economies but consumed in the US and Europe.

A draft of the latest report from the intergovernmental panel on climate change , obtained by the Guardian, says emissions of carbon dioxide and the other greenhouse gases warming the planet grew twice as fast in the first decade of the 21st century as they did during the previous three decades.

Much of that rise was due to the burning of coal, the report says. And much of that coal was used to power factories in China and other rising economies that produce goods for US and European consumers, the draft adds.

Since 2000, annual carbon dioxide emissions for China and the other rising economies have more than doubled to nearly 14 Giga tonnes a year, according to the draft report. But about 2 GT a year of that was produced making goods for export.

The picture is similar for other rising economies producing goods for export, the report finds.

A growing share of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in developing countries is released in the production of goods and services exported, notably from upper-middle-income countries to high-income countries..

Other middle income countries, with smaller exports, saw a more gradual rise in emissions. For the poorest countries in the world, however, emissions have flatlined since 1990.

Factories in China and other rising economies now produce more carbon pollution than industries in America and Europe.

A growing share of global emissions is released in the manufacture of products that are traded across international borders. The newly wealthy elites of China, India and Brazil are flying more, buying more cars and otherwise fuelling the consumption that is driving climate change.

But their per capita greenhouse gas emissions are still below those in America and Europe – a gap that China and India regularly cite at climate talks to deflect pressure to cut emissions.

In addition, a large and growing share of the carbon pollution attributed to China and those rising economies was generated in the production of goods that ended up in America and Europe.

The outsourcing of those emissions has skewed efforts to account for all global emissions, which typically was conducted on a national basis. Those accounting efforts are no longer accurate, according to analysts.

"If we are just looking at our national inventory to understand the emissions trends, it is just not telling the full picture of our impacts," said Cynthia Cummis, an expert on greenhouse gas accounting at the World Resources Institute. "We need to understand the full life cycle of all the goods and services that we are purchasing and selling."

There is now growing debate about how to assign responsibility for emissions generated producing goods that were made in one country but ultimately destined for another.

"The consumers that are importing those goods have some responsibility for those goods that are happening outside of our boundaries," Cummis said.

The 29-page draft, a summary for policy makers, was dated 17 December. An edited version is due to be published in Germany in April.

The report is the third in a series by the IPCC, summing up the state of the climate crisis since 2007 and prospects for solutions. The first part was released in September. It is stark about the chances of avoiding dangerous climate change – especially if deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are pushed back beyond 2030.

Temperatures have already risen by 0.8C since the dawning of the industrial age, the report says.

Unless there are deep cuts in emissions – up to 70% of current levels by 2050 – or a near-quadrupling of renewable energy, governments may have to fall back increasingly on experimental technologies for sucking carbon dioxide from the air to avoid dangerous warming.

 

POLITICS OF GLOBAL WARMING

The politics of global warming are complex due to numerous factors that arise from the global economy's interdependence on carbon dioxide emitting hydrocarbon energy sources and because carbon dioxide is directly implicated in global warming - making global warming a non-traditional environmental challenge:

Implications to all aspects of a nation-state's economy - The vast majority of the world economy relies on energy sources or manufacturing techniques that release greenhouse gases at almost every stage of production, transportation, storage, delivery & disposal while a consensus of the world's scientists attribute global warming to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This intimate linkage between global warming and economic vitality implicates almost every aspect of a nation-state's economy;

Perceived lack of adequate advanced energy technologies - Fossil fuel abundance and low prices continue to put pressure on the development of adequate advanced energy technologies that can realistically replace the role of fossil fuels - as of 2010, over 91% of the worlds energy is derived from fossil fuels and non carbon-neutral technologies. Developing countries do not have cost effective access to the advanced energy technologies that they need for development (most advanced technologies has been developed by and exist in the developed world). Without adequate and cost effective post-hydrocarbon energy sources, it is unlikely the countries of the developed or developing world would accept policies that would materially affect their economic vitality or economic development prospects;

Politicization of climate science - Although there is a consensus on the science of global warming and its likely effects - some special interests groups work to suppress the consensus while others work to amplify the alarm of global warming. All parties that engage in such acts add to the politicization of the science of global warming. The result is a clouding of the reality of the global warming problem.

Vulnerable developing countries and developed country legacy emissions - Some developing nations blame the developed world for having created the global warming crisis because it was the developed countries that emitted most of the carbon dioxide over the twentieth century and vulnerable countries perceive that it should be the developed countries that should pay to address the challenge;

Industrialization of the developing world - As developing nations industrialize their energy needs increase and since conventional energy sources produce carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide emissions of developing countries are beginning to rise at a time when the scientific community, global governance institutions and advocacy groups are telling the world that carbon dioxide emissions should be decreasing. Without access to cost effective and abundant energy sources many developing countries see climate change as a hindrance to their unfettered economic development

The vast majority of developed countries rely on carbon dioxide emitting energy sources for large components of their economic activity. Fossil fuel energy generally dominates the following areas of an OECD economy:

agriculture (fertilizers, irrigation, ploughing, planting, harvesting, pesticides)

transportation & distribution (automobiles, shipping, trains, airplanes)

storage (refrigeration, warehousing)

national defense (armies, tanks, military aircraft, manufacture of munitions)

In addition, carbon dioxide emitting fossil fuels many times dominate the utilities aspect of an economy that provide electricity for:

lighting

heating & cooling

refrigeration

production of products

computing and telecommunications

Also, activities like cement production, deforestation, brick production, livestock raising, refrigeration and other industrial activity contributes greenhouse gases that together are believed to account for 1/3 of global warming.

CONCLUSION

The carbon footprint has started becoming synonymous to a comprehensive GHG account, over the life cycle stages of any product or activity. The carbon footprint study is the basis of low-carbon research. The carbon footprint has been commercialized and is being utilized by organizations to count themselves and their products’ carbon and adopt measures to cut down emissions, to meet the green consumer expectations of consumers or governmental request, and provides enormous opportunities to encourage enterprises to improve production efficiency and reduce resource consumption and waste, and promote the development of innovation and technology, to help open new business opportunities, and promote corporate social responsibility and achieve sustainable development. .

CONCLUSION

However, as carbon footprint reports are increasing in response to business and legal requirements, most of the calculations are following the GHG protocol and PAS worldwide. Since it has been extended to cover the natural system as well, it becomes essential to deal with the unavoidable emissions. The type of GHG, system settings, quantification and carbon footprint, selection of date and treatment of specific emissions are the most important part of the study of the carbon footprint and assessment standards, especially for organizations and products. Guidelines had been made on these issues from existing assessment standards, but it still needs further improvement. Because carbon emission has been commercialized, and has been found to influence businesses, legal guidelines are necessary to guide and monitor these calculations, so that enterprise' and their products' carbon footprint analysis will be included in the decision-making stage. Meanwhile, as the strong measures and tools for the global problem of climate warm, research of carbon footprint and assessment standards need to be carried out within the global scope, to solve problems such as carbon leakage and border-tax adjustments