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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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, …..

6. 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

7. 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

8. Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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!!

12. References  http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ http://www.carbonfootprint.com/  http://www.greenhq.net/carbon-footprint.html http://www.greenhq.net/carbon-footprint.html  http://www.terrapass.com/ http://www.terrapass.com/  http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ http://www.carbonfootprint.com/  http://www.greenhq.net/carbon-footprint.html http://www.greenhq.net/carbon-footprint.html  http://www.terrapass.com/ http://www.terrapass.com/