Carbon Footprint

Your carbon footprint is a measurement of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere by direct or indirect activities you have carried out. Have you tried calculating your carbon footprint? Here is some knowledge that you could learn about carbon footprint:

·         An electrical consumption of 4700kWh per year produces about half a ton of carbon dioxide – that’s 500kg of CO2!

·         A 5,000 mile annual mileage for a car with efficiency of 300 mpg would produce around 175kg of carbon dioxide, if your annual mileage is higher or you car efficiency lower, the amount of carbon footprint will be much higher!

·         A small motorbike (up to 125cc) with annual mileage of 3000 miles produces approximately 252kg of carbon dioxide. A medium motorbike (from 125cc to 500cc) with the same annual mileage produces 324kg of carbon dioxide. A large motorbike (500cc or more) with the same annual mileage would produce approximately 444kg of carbon dioxide.

“How high exactly are the levels of carbon dioxide as of recent years?”

The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is much higher and also increasing at a much faster rate compared to anytime in the last 650,000 thousand years.

“Isn’t solar activity the cause of global warming?

Yes. Temperature fluctuations on earth have always been due to the earth’s orbit around the sun. The models of temperature are well aligned against solar, earth orbit and volcanic activity through the last 50 years. However, the increasing temperature of recent times does not fit the models and therefore can only be explained by the CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning.

“How does one prove that human activity is the cause of global warming?”

Judging by the history of human activity in relation to CO2 emissions, it is from the start of the industrial age that the CO2 levels begin to rise. During early stages of the industrial revolution, some CO2 were absorbed by biospheres and the ocean. But because the CO2 emissions are rising at a much faster rate that it is being absorbed, CO2 levels eventually increase.

Our daily routines may end up contributing significant amounts of carbon dioxide (other greenhouse gases not considered) and this proves very harmful to the environment. There are many methods to correct this. Listed below are some things you can do right now to save energy and save the environment immediately!

1.      Turn off any electrical devices that are not being used such as lights, television, DVD player, computer, the switch on your microwave oven and anything you can think of!

2.      Turn down the power on your refrigerator to save energy – low instead of high!

3.      Defrost your refrigerator frequently as this saves energy by keeping your fridge efficient.

4.      Turn down the central heating or air conditioning by several degrees will be sufficient)

5.      Turn down or don’t use the water heater.

6.      When your mobile phone is fully charged, unplug it from your charger or switch off the charger.

7.      When boiling water, boil as much water as you need – not as much water as you can.

8.      When running errands, try to do more in less trips.

9.      Go jogging instead of driving your car to the gym.

10.  When using the washing machine, accumulate enough clothes for a full load wash. You can save energy, electricity and washing powder as well!