Carbon footprint, also known as greenhouse gas footprint or climate footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our actions. Carbon footprint is measured in terms of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2).
Carbon footprint is categorised under three scopes:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
Direct greenhouse gases comes from sources where the fuel is burnt on site. Personal vehicles and gas stoves are examples of scope 1 emissions.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions
Purchase of electricity, heat, steam, or cooling, falls under scope 2 emissions. Companies don't directly emit carbon but the source of their power or energy does.
Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions
All other indirect emissions which are the result of a company’s activities fall under Scope 3 emissions, such as the production of goods, transportation of purchased fuel, and at an individual scale; using those produced goods.
The sources of carbon footprints can be both natural and man-made. Let’s look at a number of them:
Natural Sources of Carbon Emission:
1. Oceans
Oceans make up 70% of the earth, and the ocean floor consists of vast carbon dioxide and methane reservoirs. These gases eventually make their way up to the ocean surface and get out into the atmosphere. The good thing, however, is that oceans are a natural sink and reabsorb carbon. The ocean also absorbs man-made carbon emissions.
2. Respiration
Humans and animals respire and produce energy. This energy allows us to move and grow. Oxygen helps break down sugars and proteins, releasing water and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
3. Decomposition
Organic matter gets broken down and releases carbon as well. Organisms under the soil break down organic materials such as carcasses, dead plants, etc., and let out carbon dioxide. Respiration also takes place under the soil, and tree roots, bacteria, burrowers etc., emit carbon dioxide.
4. Volcanoes
When a volcano erupts, it releases ash, dust, and gases from the earth's deep layers. Carbon dioxide is also amongst the gases that get released.
Note: Natural sources of green house gases keep the planet warm but also get reabsorbed by plants and natural sinks. So, the net emission equals almost zero. Sadly, non-natural emissions are not self-absorbing, and natural sinks must come to the rescue. The large intake from these activities harms the oceans and land.
Man-made Sources of Carbon Emissions
How is carbon footprint generated directly by our activities and needs?
1. Fuel Combustion
The primary source of carbon emissions is burning fossil fuels, contributing to almost 90% of the emissions. The combustion of fossil fuels turns energy into heat and electricity, which power vehicles for daily transportation, household appliances, and industrial machinery.
Coal, natural gas and oil are the commonly used fossil fuels, out of which coal produces the most amount of carbon emissions as byproducts. Electricity, generated from coal, is a necessity in every household and industry. From charging your mobile phone watching TV to manufacturing clothes and food productions, electricity is required, leading to a heavy carbon footprint.
2. Transportation
The transportation sector contributes about 15% of total GHG emissions. You need to power your conventional vehicle with petrol or diesel, to travel from one place to another.
•The aviation sector is the largest of all transportation sectors in terms of fuel consumption, burning about a gallon (4 litres) per second.
•Marine transport is also responsible for over 15% of carbon emissions from transportation alone. Compared to road transport, the number of ships running every day is far less. However, ships are powered by unrefined fuel that leaves quite a large carbon footprint.
More than 20% of fossil fuels burnt are used in industries.
3. Deforestation and Land Use Changes
Natural environments like forests, river basins or seashores are converted into areas for human settlements. Forests get cut down or burnt, emitting carbon and other harmful substances. Also, while carbon is present in the soil, it is a natural carbon source. When the soil gets disrupted, it loses its carbon sinking abilities.
Now that you know what is meant by carbon footprint, you can infer that we, along with everything around us, emit carbon. We, as humans, exhale carbon dioxide, industries release carbon emissions as fuel combustion is required to power all machinery and the list goes on.
While nature knows how to take care of its emissions, we can't say the same for ours. Much the same way we contribute man-made emissions, there is a need for us to create man-made carbon absorbing sinks as well. This balance is the only way we can attain carbon neutrality.
— Aisha Rasheed
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