Sec2 What Is Carbon Footprint

What is carbon footprint? 1 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Carbon footprint • is a "measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is meant to be useful for individuals and organizations to conceptualize their personal impact in contributing to global warming. 2 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Can we be more “green”? 3 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Solution? • A conceptual tool in response to carbon footprints are carbon offsets, or the mitigation of carbon emissions through the development of alternative projects such as solar or wind energy or reforestation. 4 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Why is carbon dioxide so important? Carbon dioxide is considered the most significant greenhouse gas. This is because carbon dioxide can remain in the environment over a long period of time, from 50 to 200 years. Many of today’s activities produce a large amount of CO2 which will affect the climate into the future. Levels of carbon dioxide have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century. How might human activities have contributed to this rise in carbon dioxide levels? 5 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Burning fossil fuel Fossil fuels are carbon-based materials that formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient plants and animals. They are burned to generate heat. This process creates carbon dioxide and water as waste products. Greater use of fossil fuels is thought to be the main source of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Many people think we should use alternative sources for the long-term good of the environment. Should the use of fossil fuels be limited? How would this affect our lifestyles? 6 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

What’s your footprint? Recently, there has been a call for people to reduce the amount of carbon they produce. The volume of carbon that you are responsible for producing is known as your carbon footprint. What exactly is a carbon footprint? It is a way of measuring the impact our actions have on the Earth in terms of how much greenhouse gas we produce. How is a carbon footprint measured? 7 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Measuring footprints For a country to measure its carbon footprint, it needs to take into account all the carbon emissions that it is responsible for. This will include everything from someone commuting to work to the fossil fuels burnt by factories for gas and heat. Which countries do you think produce the most greenhouse gases? 8 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

How to measure carbon footprint? • Hemisphere – http://www.mycarbonfootprint.sg/ • Singapore poly – http://www.sp.edu.sg/greenreport2007/moving_for 9 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Measure to curb / control global warming • 3 levels – Activities undertakes by International level or Regional level – Activities undertakes by National level – Efforts undertaken at individual level 10 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Activities undertakes by International level or Regional level • APEC • Kyoto Protocol (1997) – Came into force only in 2005 due to lack of support by all countries • United Nations Environment Programme – United Nations Climate Change Conference (2009) – www.sealthedeal2009.org • G8 conference – France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Japan, Germany & Canada. 11 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

http://www.unep.org/climatechange/ 12 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

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Activities undertakes by National level • NEA (National Environment Agency) – Clean Development Mechanism Projects • Organising public awareness programmes – Impose fines – Give incentives to conserve energy – Encourage alternative energies • Clean energies 14 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Efforts undertaken at individual level • Use of public transport • Energy efficient appliances • Reduce demand for electricity • Encourage other to take part in energy saving programme 26 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

How can we reduce global warming? • All governments should sign the Kyoto Protocol • Transfer of technology – Share information about energy-efficient technology • Storing carbon dioxide – Grow more trees (reforestation) • Reduce energy consumption • Alternative energy 29 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Sustainable Development • Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations. 30 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Different approaches to manage resources and environments • Stewardship • Conservation • Demand reduction 31 of 40 © Boardworks Ltd 2008

Sec2 What Is Carbon Footprint

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