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Lazaro, Alonso: Global Warming & Your Carbon Footprint

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    95451
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    Alonso lazaro

    Chem 106

     

                      The greenhouse effect is the process where the earth atmosphere is warm by radiation. The gasses from the greenhouse effect allow solar radiation to reach earths surface. In addition, there are 4 important greenhouse gasses, the first one is Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O). How much CO2 is presently in the atmosphere? Currently in the atmosphere there is about 400 ppm by volume, with an annual 3-9 ppm per year. This means that if we don’t act fast the amount of CO2 will just keep growing. In fact according to scientist we have more carbon dioxide then any other time in at least 650,000 years ago. And it only took around 150 years for humans to have a full scale effect on the planet. There has been many evidence that link humans to the increase in CO2, if we look back the industrial revolution is one of the early pioneers of CO2. From there other factors such as de-forestation and fossil fuels have affected earth. The carbon cycle is the process where carbon goes back and forth between living things and the environment. Carbon exist in form as solids, gasses, and liquids. It’s the building block of life. Yet burning fossil fuels is still one on the leading causes of global warming this is because as humans we depend on it to power things like transportation, electricity production and most of industrial production. There are several alternative energies that can replace fossil fuels as energy. The first one is solar energy. This is perhaps the most important alternative energy because it can be installed in residential areas as well as large building, also because of cost efficient. The second alternative is wind, using wind turbines is another alternative to remote places and its cheap. Furthermore, in places where water is abundant, that could also be use as alternative energy. In fact, it’s still one of the cheapest way to generate energy. Yet how does CO2 relate to ocean acidity, well when Carbon dioxide dissolves the water becomes more acidic and the oceans pH tends to drop. If the buffering effect in the ocean were to stop then it would affect the habitat and marine life. If the overall equilibrium of the carbon cycle is not set to re-set. It will be unbalanced, and the lower concentration level will stay the same.

                Furthermore, according to Berkeley’s CoolClimate Network the average household in united states is 48.5 tons CO2/year. On a more personal level my household produces 83.8 tons CO2/year. This number actually surprise me because the average is 48.5 nationwide. I think that to reduce my carbon foot print when it comes to travel its best to drive hybrid or electric vehicles even more if I move to a big city I could use public transportation or ride a bicycle to my destination. When it comes to housing I could install solar panels, switch out old light bulbs to energy efficient light and at the same time is actually more cost efficient. In the food department, my diet could consist of more produce and grains rather then meats. Not only will I be helping the environment but also my overall health. when it comes to shopping for goods, I should buy from places that help the environment and use product that are ecofriendly. In the end I believe that we should start educating people at home. Because they are more accessible and willing to hear then others. In addition the community is another great place to start.


    Lazaro, Alonso: Global Warming & Your Carbon Footprint is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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