The various energy sources and energy uses
You have learned about the various energy sources and energy uses, along with the underlying environmental problems, and calculated your carbon footprints. For this assignment, please answer the following questions clearly and concisely in your own words:
1. How are energy use and carbon footprint generally related, and why? Briefly describe in one to two sentences.
2. Pick up an item in front of you right now. It has a carbon footprint in terms of anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide emitted to make that product. Explain why and outline some steps that would take fossil fuel use to produce that product in no more than one paragraph.
3. What are three main environmental consequences of our fossil fuel use? Provide one sentence for each of these consequences in terms of their root causes and their effects.
4. Consider the emissions associated with burning fossil fuels:
· What are three emissions regulated in the U.S. for the burning of fossil fuels?
· What is the most non-toxic emission resulting from complete combustion of fossil fuel?
· What is one hazardous emission resulting from fossil fuel combustion? Describe the potential effects of this hazardous emission in one or two sentences. Is this emission on EPA’s list of Hazardous Air Pollutants (https://www.epa.gov/haps)?
Sample Solution
1. Energy use and carbon footprint are generally related because energy usage typically results in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which is a major component of one's carbon footprint.
2. The item I have chosen is a laptop computer; it has a carbon footprint associated with the anthropogenic sources of CO2 emitted to make that product through mining and processing materials like aluminum and plastic, manufacturing components, shipping those components internationally, assembly, packaging and distribution. To reduce this fossil fuel use, steps such as investing in renewable energy sources during production and finding more efficient transportation methods can be taken to reduce emissions.
3. Three main environmental consequences of our fossil fuel use are: increased air pollution due to burning fossil fuels resulting in smog which can damage human health; contributions to global warming due to excess greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere; and climate change caused by an imbalance between incoming solar radiation from the sun versus outgoing infrared radiation from Earth’s surface leading to extreme weather events becoming increasingly common.
4. Three emissions regulated in the U.S for burning of fossil fuels are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) ,and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The most non-toxic emission resulting from complete combustion of fossil fuels is water vapor or steam H20 . One hazardous emission resulting from fossil fuel combustion is particulate matter PM10/PM 2.5 , microscopic particles which if inhaled can cause serious respiratory issues or even death over time depending on exposure levels . This particular emission is on EPA’s list of Hazardous Air Pollutants