Table of Contents:
(1.) The Carbon Cycle and Mankind
(2.) Activity: Calculating Your Emissions of Carbon Dioxide
The Carbon Cycle and Mankind
We have seen that plants sequester large sums of carbon in themselves. They are able to do
this since, on average, photosynthesis produces more sugar th...
Table of Contents:
(1.) The Carbon Cycle and Mankind
(2.) Activity: Calculating Your Emissions of Carbon Dioxide
The Carbon Cycle and Mankind
We have seen that plants sequester large sums of carbon in themselves. They are able to do
this since, on average, photosynthesis produces more sugar than what is need by the plant
during its respiration phase. As long as the plant is alive, it will continue to take carbon dioxide
out of the air. However, we also found that a plant will return all of that carbon dioxide back into
the atmosphere after it dies if the wood is burned or allowed to decay.
In this week's lab, we are going to investigate what effect mankind has on the carbon cycle. In
particular, we are going to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide that each one of us is
responsible for emitting each year. This analysis is going to study only those day-to-day
activities that emit carbon dioxide, and not look at the unique events that we have that also emit
carbon dioxide (like bulldozing a forest and grinding up the trees). Our modern way of life relies
heavily on the emission of carbon dioxide. When we think about this, we often limit ourselves to
the use of automobiles and trucks and a few industrial processes. We understand that when we
burn the gasoline in our engines, we are oxidizing the fuel and creating carbon dioxide.
However, there are other activities in our life that also emit CO2, even though we do not see the
oxidation. When we use electricity, we are also emitting carbon dioxide. The majority of the
electricity created in the state of Georgia is derived from burning natural gas or coal. We also
emit CO2 when we heat and cool our homes, since this requires the use of electricity or the
burning of natural gas, propane, heating oil, or wood. Even our creation of garbage releases
carbon dioxide in the environment. If this garbage is put into a landfill, it decays and puts CO2
back into the atmosphere. If it is recycled, energy of some form will be used to accomplish this,
emitting CO2 in the process.
Calculating Your Emissions of Carbon Dioxide
Overview
So how much carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere through your daily activities? To
answer this question, you will use an online Household Carbon Footprint Calculator developed
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The calculator sums the carbon dioxide
produced by your driving, electricity use, and waste disposal, and provides you with an estimate
of your annual carbon dioxide emissions. The calculator then allows you to see how changes in
your lifestyle could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.
Before you begin
Americans tend to contribute a lot of carbon dioxide through driving, so it is therefore vitally
important that you know your vehicle's gas mileage. To assist you, the US Department of
Energy and EPA have created a web site that allows users to look up the gas mileage for any
Greenhouse Gas Calculator: Personal Impacts 1
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