What can you do to lower yours?
Mohammed Alshammari
Ben Bahlenhorst
Zheng Fu
Joe Hill
Ian Laird
Long Nguyen
Binh Phan
Application 13.1
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Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon
dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted
into the atmosphere by the activities of an
individual, company, country, etc.
• In
2009, the average American’s carbon
footprint was equivalent to 28 tons of CO 2.
• “Carbon dioxide emissions from burning
fossil fuels accounted for 82 percent of the
greenhouse gas released in 2006” (Van Beest).
• “The carbon footprint concept took hold at a
1979 U.S. Senate energy committee
discussion” (Van Beest).
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Electricity Production:
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Transportation:
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Chemical reactions are necessary to produce
goods from raw materials.
Commercial and Residential:
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Fossil fuels are burned to power ships,
trains, planes, and automobiles.
Industry:
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Largest contributor to CO2 emissions.
Fossil fuels are burned for heat.
Agriculture:

Emissions come from livestock, like cows,
agricultural soils, and rice production.
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Background:
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No electricity generation technology is ‘carbon free’.
All electricity generation technologies have a carbon footprint.
8 different electricity generation technologies analyzed.
Result:
•
•
•
•
All electricity generation technologies emit CO 2 at some point
during their life cycle.
Fossil fuelled electricity generation has the largest carbon footprint
(>1,000gCO 2 eq/kWh).
‘Low carbon’ technologies have low carbon footprints
(<100gCO 2 eq/kWh).
Future carbon footprints can be reduced for all electricity generation
technologies if the high CO 2 emission phases are fuelled by low
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carbon energy sources.

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Average CO2 emissions from 1 gallon of gasoline = 8,887
grams of CO2 per gallon.
The average vehicle emits 5.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions
every year, and 55 metric tons over the course of a decade.
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
Find your annual CO2 emissions = (CO2 per gallon (8,887g) ÷ MPG)
* annual miles traveled
Hybrid cars emit far less than the average (≈4 metric tons
annually).

A more competitive commodity in the carbon footprint market than
traditional automobiles.
 Depends on consumer demand for less GHG emissions.

New Fuel Economy labels indicate Fuel Economy & Green
House Gas Emissions Rating and Smog Rating for new cars.

Assists consumer decision making in the GHG market.
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Background:
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Third major source of CO 2.
Cement, iron, steel industry, and chemical production account
for the majority of CO 2.
CO 2 is generated directly (burning fossil fuels) or indirectly
(using electricity) through the manufacturing process.
Results:
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CO 2 emissions in industries continue to increase due to
economic and population growth.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has calculated
carbon footprints for paper, plastic, glass, cans, computers,
carpet, and tires.
Developing countries don’t have strong enforcements on CO 2
emissions for industries.
Only a few manufacturers put carbon labels on their products.
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No standard method for computing a carbon footprint at this point.
Solutions:
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Each government issues a standard method for calculating carbon
footprints.
Continue passing new emission standards.
Carbon labels:
 Manufacturers must provide carbon labels on their products.
Consumer Behavior:
 Educate consumers about carbon footprints.
 Change the way you consume. For example: buy energy saving
bulbs.
Technology:
 Switch from fossil fueled electricity to wind, nuclear, and hydro
electricity.
 Continue researching hybrid, diesel, and electricity technology
for transportation.
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http://brighterplanet.com/entries/48-average_carbon_footprint
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/commercia
lresidential.html
http://www.epa.gov/oms/climate/documents/420f11041.pdf
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt1
http://green.wikia.com/wiki/How_to_reduce_your_carbon_footprint
http://www.livestrong.com/article/156559-facts-about-the-carbonfootprint/
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/post/postpn_383-carbonfootprint-electricity-generation.pdf
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