Posts Tagged ‘greenhouse gasses’

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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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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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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