Archive for the ‘Carbon Footprint’ category

History and Origin of the Kyoto Protocol

November 12th, 2009

Understanding what the Kyoto Protocol entails

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement which main purpose is to lower the greenhouse gas emissions of the industrialized world by 2012. The end result of the Kyoto Protocol should be a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to below the levels measured in 1990. The Kyoto Protocol also addresses the developing world, which is busy industrializing at a fierce pace and subsequently producing a large volume of greenhouse gases.

History and Origin of the Kyoto Protocol

The roots of the Kyoto Protocol can be traced back to 1979, when the first World Climate Conference was held. The purpose of this Conference was to address the issue of human impact on climate change. The subsequent result of the World Climate Conference was a commitment to more study and the development of an ultimate plan to address the issue. The next step was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international treaty adopted in 1992. The UNFCCC was established after 10 years of discussion and research on the topic of climate change.

Under the terms set out by the UNFCCC, participating nations agreed to gather and share information about greenhouse gas emissions. Participating nations were also supposed to reduce their emissions by 2000, while at the same time participating in a global action plan to prevent greenhouse gas emissions from rising. Even though the agreement was not legally binding, a lot of nations regarded it as a necessary step, and thus made a commitment to take action. By 1995, concerns had arisen that the plan was not working; the result was a conference to discuss the matter, held in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997.

The result of this conference was the Kyoto Protocol, which amended the UNFCCC with legally binding pledges to reduce emissions of various greenhouse gases. According to the terms of the agreement that is the Kyoto Protocol, participating nations had to reduce their emissions between 2008 and 2012 through a variety of means. The Kyoto Protocol encourages green development and emissions trading, allowing nations which meet their quotas to sell credits to nations who are encountering difficulties.

Pros and Cons of the Kyoto Protocol
Even though most nations agree that climate change is a serious issue which needs attention, not everyone is willing to take part in the Kyoto Protocol, most notably the United States of America. Opponents of the Kyoto Protocol take issue with certain terms in the agreement, arguing that it restricts economic development and that it may be too strict. In stark contrast, supporters of the Kyoto Protocol believe that the issue of global warming is so important that any measures, no matter how strict, will be worth it in the long run.

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Why choose Wind Power over other forms of energy generation?

November 9th, 2009

What does Wind Power entail?

Wind power is power which is derived from wind. Wind power is thus basically the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as electricity. There are numerous ways to collect and use wind power; wind turbines and windmills are two such methods. Wind power is considered to be a form of clean energy, since wind is an entirely renewable resource. Wind power is thus one of the most abundant sources of renewable energy. Although wind power is still a relatively new approach to solving the world’s global demand for energy, several countries are able to supplement their energy needs using it.

How is Wind Power Generated?

Two techniques which has been used rather successfully to generate wind power is windmills and wind turbines. Windmills are a wind power technique which has been in operation for thousands of years. Windmills are used mostly to turn millstones or operate a pump for a well, thus utilizing the wind power directly on site for various needs. In contrast to windmills, wind turbines are a fairly new technique used to generate wind power. In the case of wind turbines, the wind turns the turbine and the turning of the turbine subsequently generate electricity, a usable form of energy. The electricity generated through this wind power technique is very convenient as it can be transported off site. This means wind power can generate energy to be used at the most remote locations. However, it should be noted that wind power generated from wind turbines is less efficient than energy used directly; this is attributed to the fact that energy is lost in the conversion and transmission process.

Why choose Wind Power over other forms of energy generation?

As mentioned before, wind power is a form of clean energy, due to it being an entirely renewable resource. This is why wind power is considered preferable to many other forms of energy generation such as coal burning power plants, nuclear power plants and hydroelectric power plants. Coal burning power plants utilize resources which are not renewable and as such pollute the air. Nuclear power plants do not pollute the air so much; it is rather the nuclear fuel being spent which represents a serious problem. Hydroelectric power, on the other hand, involves constructing dams to harness the energy in water. Not only do dams interfere with the health of waterways, but it also damages habitats.

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Greenhouse gas emissions

October 23rd, 2009

What is an Emissions Check?

An emissions check is basically a test performed if emissions produced through the process of combustion is to be determined. One such example is when tests are performed on vehicles to determine whether or not they meet emissions standards as set out by the government. An emissions check is also performed on the flue gases produced at industrial facilities. This is done in order to monitor the efficiency at the industrial facilities and subsequently determine whether or not the industrial facilities meet government standards.

How does an Emissions Check work?

A device known as a sniffer is used during an emissions check. During an emissions check, the sniffer is connected to an outlet for emissions such as the exhaust of a vehicle. The device subsequently relays information regarding which gases and particulates are present in the emissions being produced, and in which concentrations. The technician operating the device can then determine whether or not the emissions being checked have passed emissions standards.

• Emissions Check: Vehicles

In some countries, an emissions check is often required before a vehicle can be registered successfully. If the emissions are deemed to be too high, the problem causing the high emissions will need to be corrected so that the vehicle can be tested again. Emissions standards for vehicles are designed to reduce damage to the natural environment caused by vehicle emissions, to improve air quality standards, and to reduce the amount of harmful emissions caused by vehicles on the road.

• Emissions Check: Factories

Pollution is the main reason why an emissions check is carried out for factories. In regions where factories are forced to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, the emissions check is used to determine where the factory falls within the framework of the system, and to determine whether or not it is violating emissions standards. If a factory exceeds its amount of allowed emissions, it will need to buy or trade emissions credits with another factory. Factories with an emissions check which indicate that they are emitting less than the legal limit will be given credits to trade or sell.

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Electric cars vs Fuel-powered cars

October 19th, 2009

An electric car is an automobile which is powered by electricity. An electric car usually looks just like those using fuel; that is on the outside at least. This is especially true of fuel-powered cars that are converted into electric cars. One thing that separates an electric car from a fuel-powered car without having to look under the hood is sound identification, as electric cars are practically silent.

How does the engine of an Electric Car compare to that of a Fuel-Powered Car? (H2)

When looking at the engine of an electric car, you will notice some major differences from what you could expect to see when looking at the engine of a fuel-powered car. An electric car has an electric motor and a controller for powering the motor. Rechargeable batteries are used to provide power to the controller. Compared to fuel-powered cars, electric cars have more wires. Fuel-powered cars, on the other hand, have a lot of fuel lines, pipes, and hoses.

Is the Electric Car a new invention? (H2)

In contrast to what many people think, the electric car is not a new invention. Electric cars have been around for many years. Electric cars were, in fact, among the very first automobiles built and even dominated the automobile market at one point in time. It is interesting to note that, in the early years of the twentieth century, electric cars held records for both distance and speed over land.

How popular is the Electric Car? (H2)

In order to reduce pollution and cut transportation costs, the electric car is gaining in popularity once more. However, electric cars tend to be pricey when compared to traditional fuel-powered automobiles. Higher production volumes and improvements in the manufacturing process could lead to a decrease in costs in the not too distant future.

What are the Benefits of an Electric Car? (H2)

The electric car offers many benefits, among which is the fact that an automobile powered by electricity does not require the purchase of high-priced fuel. This means that those owning an electric car need only pay to recharge the batteries of the electric car.

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The global warming theory

October 16th, 2009

Understanding what Global Warming entails

Global warming refers to the fact that the atmosphere of the Earth is warming near its surface; the Earth’s atmosphere is thus getting hotter. It is believed that climate changes such as global warming have occurred throughout the history of the Earth and will continue to occur in the future. There is evidence to suggest that solar activity is a big offender with regards to global warming.

Theories relating to Global Warming

The greenhouse effect plays a big role in contributing to global warming. Gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere are analogous to a greenhouse in that they allow sunlight to pass through and subsequently trap heat from escaping. The greenhouse effect, a naturally occurring phenomenon, keeps the surface of the Earth warmer than it would be otherwise. In recent years, the greenhouse wall has been thickened beyond naturally occurring levels due to a large amount of human produced compounds regularly released into the Earth’s atmosphere. When this takes place, even less heat is able to escape, which causes temperatures to rise. This process is called greenhouse warming and results in global warming.

The ozone is another theory commonly associated with global warming. The ozone is a naturally occurring gas in the lower atmosphere that helps to trap heat. The burning of fossil fuels creates even more ozone, as ozone is one component of smog. As ozone builds, so does the trapped heat, thus increasing the greenhouse effect and subsequently global warming. Apart from the lower atmosphere, the ozone also plays a crucial role in the upper atmosphere, where it shields the Earth from deadly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, CFC’s, the same human produced compound which acts like a greenhouse gas in the lower atmosphere, destroy the ozone. This results in holes appearing in our upper ozone layer.

Global Warming has far-reaching implications

Global Warming and all its related issues have far-reaching implications and as such can have a significant impact on human life. For this reason, it is important to find out for how long global warming has taken place on Earth, at what rate global warming is taking place, and what factors are causing global warming. Answers to these issues will prepare all of humankind to handle the different effects of global warming.

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Why recycling is so important.

October 16th, 2009

Even though recycling has become part of many people’s daily lives, it seems that the full importance of recycling is not always understood. Generally speaking, most people do understand that recycling plays a crucial role in helping to minimize the drain on the limited resources of the planet. However, this is not the only reason why recycling is of extreme importance to the world we live in today.

Reasons why Recycling is Important

• The process of recycling helps to minimize the presence of waste materials within our communities. Due to the simple fact that items like plastic, paper, and glass are reused to create new products, they do not end up taking space somewhere in a landfill. Since most people do not want garbage dumps located near their offices or homes, recycling makes it possible to avoid the creation of more landfills that would otherwise be necessary to accommodate all the waste.

• Recycling items also makes it possible to cut the cost of producing products significantly. The following is a good example of this: it takes anywhere from seventy-five to ninety-five percent less energy to produce aluminum cans from recycled products than it does to create them from raw materials. Thus, not only does recycling preserve raw materials, but it also eases the energy needed to manufacture different products.

• Another reason why recycling is important is the fact that it maintains a healthy balance in the ecology of the Earth. Less damage will be done to the planet’s forests, rivers, and other areas where wildlife is abundant, if it is not necessary to continue mining raw materials in order to produce the same amount of products. Since every form of life on the planet is dependent on the presence of another form of life, recycling is key to maintain an ecological balance and subsequently provide security for future generations.

• Creating new jobs comes with the process that is recycling. As more people recycle, the number of people required to collect, sort and process recycled items continues to grow. More job opportunities in the community means more money spent in local stores, more taxes collected for the town/city, and in general a healthier economy for the countries where recycling takes place.

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Why your company must Go-Green

October 16th, 2009

A green business is basically a business which attempts to function without having any sort of negative impact on its surrounding environment. Therefore, a green business is also sometimes called a sustainable business. Constantly being on the look out for better and newer ways should form part of becoming a green business. The business as a whole should thus become more environmentally friendly, beginning with the acquisition of raw materials all the way through to delivery of the product to the consumer.

Why should Businesses Go Green?

The concept known as green business forms part of a larger movement which aims to create sustainable or green living. Together with the aim of creating eco-friendly homes (green homes), this movement also tries to invoke change in the way businesses operate. When implemented, these changes create less of a carbon footprint on the ecology of the planet.

How to become a Green Business?

One of the first things a business can do to become a green business is to make changes to the facilities in which it operates. For example, this involves the preparation methods of any goods produced for shipment, the general cleaning of the facilities, and making use of synthetic chemicals in the production process. Generally, a business seeking to become a green business should consider the current level of carbon emissions generated by its production processes and subsequently seek to find ways to minimize or completely eliminate those emissions.

General office work in and around the business can also help a business achieve its goal of leaving less of an eco-footprint and thus becoming a green businesses. The office should become as close to paperless as possible, rather using electronic documents and communications which are shared over a network powered with wind or solar energy. Only recycled paper should be utilized if the use of paper is absolutely necessary. All other materials and equipment used in the office on a daily basis should be produced locally, thus minimizing the use of fossil fuels in transportation costs.

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What is carbon footprint, and its different types?

October 14th, 2009

A carbon footprint is described as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced on an annual basis through our daily social and domestic activities, either directly or indirectly. These mentioned greenhouse gases are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). A carbon footprint can be measured for an entire country or state, a group of people such as a company, a household, or an individual person.

Different Types of Carbon Footprint

Two types of carbon footprint exist. These are:

• Primary Carbon Footprint
A primary carbon footprint refers to those activities which directly burn fossil fuels; the activities which has an immediate impact on the natural resources of the planet. Some examples of a primary carbon footprint include plugging in any electronic device, heating our homes, taking a flight in an airplane, driving a car, or simply using water.

• Secondary Carbon Footprint
A secondary carbon footprint refers to those products purchased, such as clothing, food, or similar products to be used in our homes. A secondary carbon footprint is made through a process which begins with the manufacturing of items, through the transportation of products to its locations, and eventually ends with the amount of time it takes the materials to degrade and subsequently break down after we have finished using the items.

Ways to reduce a Carbon Footprint

Important steps taken to reduce your carbon footprint include:

• Reduce the emissions from your vehicle by rather taking a bus or train to work; whenever possible, walk or ride a bike;
• Always turn off lights when they are not in use;
• Turn down the heat in your home and do not leave electronics plugged in;
• Consider sustainable energy practices, such as solar power or wind;
• When out shopping, make use of reusable shopping bags; and
• Recycle products whenever possible.

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Working together to reduce atmosphere emissions.

October 14th, 2009

It is a well-known fact that emissions play a contributing role in not only global warming, but water pollution and air pollution as well. In order to control the negative effects on the environment, it is absolutely crucial to lower the number of emissions occurring on a daily basis. Governments, businesses, and the transportation industry alike are currently in the process of researching better fuels which contains lower greenhouse gas emissions.

What Emissions are released into the Atmosphere?

- Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels being burnt by vehicles are a daily occurrence. When fuel is burned, carbon dioxide is released into the air. This carbon dioxide is used by trees and plants to photosynthesize; however, when too much carbon dioxide is omitted, the result is climate change. Human transportation is seen to be the big scapegoat responsible for the majority of carbon emissions affecting the Earth’s climate.

Research into replacement fuels for vehicles is currently underway. Alternative fuels such as switch grass ethanol and E85 ethanol result in far less carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The problem with ethanol is that the actual production thereof is responsible for creating a larger than expected amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reduce these emissions, the factories producing this alternative fuel may need to lower their impact on the environment as well.

- Methane

Another greenhouse gas emission, methane, is released into the atmosphere primarily from landfills. Landfills are large open spaces used to dump trash and unwanted items. Methane is released as soon as this trash decays, meaning methane collects in the atmosphere and subsequently climate change occurs.

In order to lower emissions of methane from landfills, the amount of waste per household should be reduced. Making use of biodegradable materials and recycling are two methods that can be used to reduce household waste. Biodegradable materials break down far more quickly, which results in fewer emissions and thus a smaller effect on the environment.

What can Businesses do to lower Emissions?

Businesses can lower their emissions by choosing green alternatives in the workplace. The term green is commonly used for products that have lower emissions and therefore a smaller carbon footprint on the environment. Carbon footprint is the term used to describe the long-term effect a product has on the Earth. A smaller carbon footprint can thus be the same as fewer carbon emissions.

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