27.1-Carbon Footprints

Carbon footprints are tricky to measure

• `Carbon footprints are basically a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something

• Tat can be a service an event or a product

• That’s because 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 toastie maker and in making it, emissions produced and actually use it

There are ways to reducing carbon footprint

• You can’t always measure a carbon footprint exactly, but there are always methods to try and reduce it

• Anything that reduces the amount of greenhouse gases given out by a process will also reduce its carbon footprint

• Here are some things that can be done:

  • Renewable energy sources or nuclear energy could be used instead of fossil fuels

  • Using ore efficient processes could conserve energy and cut waste

  • Lots of waste decomposes to release methane, so this will reduce methane emissions

  • Governments could tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit

  • Governments can also put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gases that companies make

  • There’s also technology that captures the C02 produced buy burning fossil fuels before it’s released into the atmosphere

Practice Problems:

• State two things governments can do to try to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses

  • Cap on emissions that companies make

  • Tax companies based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit

• State two ways making reductions are difficult

  • Affect economic growth

  • Individuals would have to change their lifestyles

27.2-Air Pollution

Combustion of fossil fuels releases gases and particles

• Fossil fuels such as crude oil and coal, contains hydrocarbons

• During combustion as the carbon and hydrogen in these compounds are oxidised so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere

• When there’s plenty of oxygen all the fuel burns, this is called complete combustion

• If there’s not enough oxygen, some of the fuel doesn’t burn, this is called incomplete combustion

• Under these conditions, solid particles of soot and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide

• Particulates in the air can cause all sorts of problems:

  • If particulates are inhaled, they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage

  • This can then lead to respiratory problems

  • They’re also bad for the environment, they themselves or the clouds they help to produce reflect sunlight back into space

• It’s not just particulates from incomplete combustion that cause problems, carbon monoxide is pretty nasty too

  • Carbon monoxide is really dangerous because it can stop your blood from doing its proper job of carrying oxygen around the body

  • A lack of oxygen in the blood can lead to fainting, a coma or even death

Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen can be released

• This form acid rain

• This kills plants and damages buildings and statues and makes metal corrode

Practice Problems:

• Name three potential pollutants that could be released as a result of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, that wouldn’t be released as a result of complete combustion

  • Particulates

  • Unburnt fuels

  • And carbon monoxide

• What can sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause?

  • Acid rain