Carbon footprint Flashcards
What are carbon footprints and can you give examples?
A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something.
For example that can be a services(transports),an event,a product.
Why is it hard(or even impossible)to measure the total carbon footprint?
There are so many different factors to consider.For example you would have to count the emissions released as a result of sourcing all the parts of your product and making it.Also the emissions produced when you actually see it and finally dispose of it.
What can will reduce the carbon footprints?
Anything that reduces the amount of greenhouse gases(e.g methane and carbon dioxide)give by a process will also reduce its carbon footprint.
Can you give examples of methods that can be used to reduce greenhouse gases,alongside carbon footprint?
Renewable energy sources or nuclear energy: could be used instead of fossil fuels.
Using more efficient processes: could conserve energy and cut waste.Lots of waste decomposes to release methane,so this will reduce methane emissions.
There are technology that captures the C02 produced by burning fossil fuels before it’s released into the atmosphere-can then be stored deep underground in cracks in the rock such as old oil wells.
How can the government help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Tax:They could tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit.For example taxing cars based on the amount of carbon dioxide they emit over a set distance could mean that people choose to by ones that are more fuel-efficient and so less polluting.
Put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gases that companies make-then sell licences for emissions up to that cap.
Why is it hard to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions?
There’s a lot of work to be done on alternative technologies that result in lower CO2 emissions.
Governments are worried it will affect the economic growth of communities,which could affect the people well-being.This is important for particular countries that are still developing.
It’s hard to make international agreements to reduce emissions.Countries don’t want to sacrifice the economic development if they think others won’t do the same.
Individuals in developing countries need to make changes in their lifestyle.It may be hard for people to make changes if they don’t want to and if there isn’t enough education provided about why these changes are needed and how to make them.
