9.1.6

Carbon Footprints

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Reducing Carbon Footprints

A carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted as a result of a particular service, product or event. The following are ways that we can minimise carbon footprints:

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How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

  • You can reduce your carbon footprint by:
    • Maximise the efficiency of your energy use.
    • Minimise your waste.
    • Using renewable energy sources as an alternative to burning fossil fuels.
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How can governments reduce carbon footprint?

  • Governments can reduce carbon footprints by imposing:
    • Emission-based taxes.
    • Emission caps.
    • Emissions licenses up to a certain cap (these must be bought).
  • These measures would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from companies.
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Carbon capture and storage

  • Carbon capture and storage refers to the capture of carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels before it passes into the atmosphere.
  • Stores of this captured carbon are then kept deep underground.
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Carbon off-setting

  • We can counteract emissions by planting trees, which will remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis.
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Carbon-neutral products

  • Carbon-neutral products don't change the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

Barriers to Reducing Carbon Footprints

We may know how to reduce carbon footprints. But there are many factors that mean making these changes is not easy.

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Scientific factors

  • Scientists don't agree on the causes and consequences of climate change.
  • This is preventing scientists from making significant advances.
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Economic factors

  • Many governments worry that making the required changes may restrict the economic development of their country.
  • This attitude is most common in developing countries.
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Political factors

  • Countries have different opinions about the right course of action.
  • This spreads uncertainty. Countries aren't sure what other countries would do when presented with a potential international agreement.
  • Therefore, countries hesitate to sign anything.
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Social factors

  • People in developed countries might not want to change their lifestyles.
  • Some societies don't make progress as their people are not educated on the importance of changing lifestyles.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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