Carbon Footprint Mrs. Snyder May 19, 2008 Mrs. Snyder May 19, 2008

Brainstorm  Write the term Carbon Footprint in your 5- subject notebook  Make a list of your ideas about what it means. –Turn to your partner and share your ideas. –After discussing, select the best idea to share.  Write the term Carbon Footprint in your 5- subject notebook  Make a list of your ideas about what it means. –Turn to your partner and share your ideas. –After discussing, select the best idea to share.

What is a carbon footprint?  It is a “measure of the impact our activities have on the environment” –It measures the volume of greenhouse gases we produce. –It is measured in units of carbon dioxide.  Made of two parts –The direct part or primary part –The indirect part or secondary part  It is a “measure of the impact our activities have on the environment” –It measures the volume of greenhouse gases we produce. –It is measured in units of carbon dioxide.  Made of two parts –The direct part or primary part –The indirect part or secondary part

Primary part  Direct emissions of CO 2 from the burning of fossil fuels –Examples include driving cars, flying in planes, or any other activity that burns gasoline or a fossil fuels –Burning of heating oil or oil to cool your home or school (or office buildings) –Electricity consumed in your home, school or office  Direct emissions of CO 2 from the burning of fossil fuels –Examples include driving cars, flying in planes, or any other activity that burns gasoline or a fossil fuels –Burning of heating oil or oil to cool your home or school (or office buildings) –Electricity consumed in your home, school or office

Secondary part of our footprint  “The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO 2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use” ( –The emissions from their manufacture and eventual breakdown.  Make a list of products that your family uses that create CO 2 –For example: plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic wrap for foods, …..  “The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO 2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use” ( –The emissions from their manufacture and eventual breakdown.  Make a list of products that your family uses that create CO 2 –For example: plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic wrap for foods, …..

Where does the problem begin?  Many chemical compounds found in our atmosphere act as greenhouse gasses.  Greenhouse gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely  When sunlight strikes the Earth’s surface, some of it is reflected back towards space –(infrared radiation or heat)  Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere  The energy sent from the sun should be should be about the same as the amount radiated back to space  Many chemical compounds found in our atmosphere act as greenhouse gasses.  Greenhouse gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely  When sunlight strikes the Earth’s surface, some of it is reflected back towards space –(infrared radiation or heat)  Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere  The energy sent from the sun should be should be about the same as the amount radiated back to space

Are things in balance?  Normally, the Carbon cycle keeps things in balance  Movement of carbon between the atmosphere and land & oceans is controlled by natural processes –Photosynthesis  There is now an imbalance - more CO 2 is being added to the atmosphere each year. –There is now a continuing growth in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere  Normally, the Carbon cycle keeps things in balance  Movement of carbon between the atmosphere and land & oceans is controlled by natural processes –Photosynthesis  There is now an imbalance - more CO 2 is being added to the atmosphere each year. –There is now a continuing growth in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle

Your family’s carbon footprint  Calculate your footprint Calculate your footprint  Assess the efficiency of your home appliances Assess the efficiency –The Kill-a-watt meter shows you and your family exactly how much electricity you are using  This website has other ideas This website  Recycle! Recycle!  Reduce “Junk Mail” –Greendimes is an organization that helps you reduce your personal junk mail - there is a fee, but it helps the environment to reduce junk mailGreendimes  Grow your own fruits and veggies  Create a compost pilecompost pile  Calculate your footprint Calculate your footprint  Assess the efficiency of your home appliances Assess the efficiency –The Kill-a-watt meter shows you and your family exactly how much electricity you are using  This website has other ideas This website  Recycle! Recycle!  Reduce “Junk Mail” –Greendimes is an organization that helps you reduce your personal junk mail - there is a fee, but it helps the environment to reduce junk mailGreendimes  Grow your own fruits and veggies  Create a compost pilecompost pile

There is more we can do!  Do your own research.  Read, walk, play outside - the more electricity we use, the greater our individual carbon footprint becomes  Be aware of leaving appliances and electrical devices on  Use less water - intentionally  Make small changes!  Do your own research.  Read, walk, play outside - the more electricity we use, the greater our individual carbon footprint becomes  Be aware of leaving appliances and electrical devices on  Use less water - intentionally  Make small changes!

What can we do about it?  Use less water –Pumping water to a home can make up a third of a home’s carbon footprint –Ideas and products  Don’t run water unnecessarily  Use solar powered chargers - MP3 Use solar powered chargers - MP3  Purchase gadgets that conserve water or eliminate waste Purchase gadgets  Reduce the amount of water you use when you shower Reduce the amount of water you use when you shower  Keep your car’s tire pressure adjusted properly to maximize efficiencytire pressure  Bicycle or walk to school or work  Turn off computers, lights, devices requiring electicity when they are not in use –Find other ideas!!  Use less water –Pumping water to a home can make up a third of a home’s carbon footprint –Ideas and products  Don’t run water unnecessarily  Use solar powered chargers - MP3 Use solar powered chargers - MP3  Purchase gadgets that conserve water or eliminate waste Purchase gadgets  Reduce the amount of water you use when you shower Reduce the amount of water you use when you shower  Keep your car’s tire pressure adjusted properly to maximize efficiencytire pressure  Bicycle or walk to school or work  Turn off computers, lights, devices requiring electicity when they are not in use –Find other ideas!!

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