1. What does carbon footprint mean?
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly to support human activities usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. (CO2 is the chemical symbol for carbon dioxide).
When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.
Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a given time frame.
2. What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that trap infrared radiation emitted from the earth, lower atmosphere, or clouds or aerosols and, as a result, cause positive radiation (which means they enhance global warming). Many of these gases are naturally occurring and are essential to life on earth by providing a blanket for marine and terrestrial organisms. Without them, temperatures on earth would be intolerably cold. However, when their concentrations become too high, they may contribute to global warming to such an extent that they would make the earth intolerably hot. Nature has maintained these gases in the 'tolerable' range for billions of years, but human activities have been changing the concentrations of these gases since the start of the industrial revolution, around 1850.
http://education.arm.gov/studyhall/globalwarming/expertgas.stm
http://education.arm.gov/studyhall/globalwarming/expertgas.stm
3. What is the greenhouse effect?
The "greenhouse effect" is the warming that happens when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat. These gases let in light but keep heat from escaping, like the glass walls of a greenhouse.
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview.html
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview.html
4. What is global warming?
Global warming is the warming of the earth because of the increased amount of greenhouse gases that are being put into the atmosphere.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_the_greenhouse_effect_and_global_warming#ixzz1HsrJ6EwF
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_the_greenhouse_effect_and_global_warming#ixzz1HsrJ6EwF
5. Why should I care?
The rapid rise in greenhouse gases is a problem because it is changing the climate faster than some living things may be able to adapt. Also, a new and more unpredictable climate poses unique challenges to all life. Your children and children's children will be impacted--the sun's rays will be hotter making it more uncomfortable to be outside and causing adverse effects on plant life and animal species. Water levels will rise as glaciers melt, which can destroy entire cities that are close to water.
6. What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint?
• Use earth-friendly, biodegradable cleaning products
• Turn off power strips at the end of the day
• Use mass transportation
• If you must drive, try to do so during non-peak hours so you don’t emit more gas during stops
• Print on two sides of the same paper
• Reuse envelopes, folders, paper clips
• Eat less meat (raising animals requires processing and
transportation, which emits carbon gases)
7. Where can I see videos on these topics?
Global Warming 101:
Eco-bunnies Explain Carbon Footprint:
Ways to Reduce your Carbon Footprint:
