Carbon footprint Flashcards
What is meant by the term “carbon footprint?”
The carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.
What are 4 ways we can decrease our CO₂ emissions?
1.) Insulate homes// turn down heating.
2.) Use public transport instead of cars.
3.) Use renewable sources of electricity eg. wind power.
4.) Energy- saving lightbulbs// turn appliances off at the plug.
Why does insulating homes and turning down heating mean less CO₂ emissions?
- Fossil fuels don’t need to be burnt as much to heat our homes.
How does using public transport decrease our CO₂ emissions?
- Lots of CO₂ released by driving cars.
- PT = less CO₂ released per passenger.
How does using renewable power decrease our CO₂ emissions?
- Lots of CO₂ released by generating electricity by burning fossil fuels.
- Renewables don’t release CO₂.
How does using energy- saving lightbulbs// turn appliances off at the plug decrease CO₂ emissions?
- Less electricity used.
- Less fossil fuels are being burnt to produce said electricity.
Why might actions to decrease CO₂ emissions be limited?
2 limitations
1.) Most of the solutions are expensive.
2.) Sometimes incovinient eg. some people find it inconvinient to use PT over driving.
Give 2 ways we can decrease methane emissions.
1.) Eat less beef and dairy products.
2.) Trapping methane from landfills// less landfills.
How does eating less beef and dairy products decrease methane emissions?
- Grazing cattle eg. cows releases methane when they pass wind.
- Reduced grazing means reduced wind!!
What is the limitation of people eating less beef and dairy products to decrease methane emissions?
- People enjoy eating THESE and are UNLIKELY to change their diets.
Why does trapping methane from landfills// getting rid of landfills decrease methane emissions?
- Lanfills release methane
decomposition releases methane
Why is it a good idea to trap methane and use it for producing electricity?
BUT… What is the limitation??
- Methane > carbon dioxide
- More powerful!!
- Trapping and burning methane is expensive.
