Reducing Carbon Footprints: Can it Help in Reducing Global Warming?

The greenhouse effect is a term used to explain the global warming process. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is always present in the atmosphere. It is an abnormal amount of this and other gases which creates the warming effect.

High amounts of CO₂ and other 'greenhouse' gases trap more energy in the atmosphere. This creates more heat and further warms the atmosphere which in turn heats the earth. It is a high amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere which increases global warming.

What is a Carbon Footprint?

The carbon footprint is a system which has been designed to measure the amount of carbon emissions which we all create. We all have a carbon footprint.

Carbon dioxide is exhaled by humans and animals, it is completely natural, and at normal natural levels causes little harm, as plants and trees convert this back into oxygen for us to breathe.

However, we also contribute directly to carbon emissions by using different forms of energy. This is not so natural, and is causing a huge amount of harm to the atmosphere.

Our carbon footprints are directly related to our lifestyle, and the type and amount of energy we use to fuel that lifestyle. People who have a modern 'high-energy' lifestyle generate more emissions than those who have a natural way of living and use only minimal amounts of energy.

A fast, modern lifestyle means more daily usage of energy with the use of computers, mobile phones, household lighting and appliances. Vehicles create an enormous amount of carbon emissions in the fumes emitted from their exhausts.

Energy usage has caused, and continues to contribute to, the global warming process. The damage being caused is so severe that people need to be made aware of the effect that global warming is having on the environment.

They need to know how they can prevent more harm from being done, and how we can all help by reducing our own personal carbon footprints.

How can we help save the environment?

Plant trees:

Planting trees may sound very simple and basic, but it is the most natural and effective way of reversing greenhouse gases that are in the environment. De-forestation has already destroyed huge wooded areas. There is more carbon in the air than ever before, yet there are less plants to absorb it and produce oxygen. Obviously planting more trees is going to help tremendously.

If you are not able to plant a tree yourself, there are volunteer organizations who will gladly plant a tree on your behalf.

Be energy efficient:

One of the other main ways to minimize global warming is to conserve as much energy as possible. The use of computers is very common now and has become a necessary part of everyday life for many people. There are 'green' computers which can be bought now which use a lot less energy.

One of the simplest ways we can all reduce our carbon footprints and help save the environment is by using less energy, and all we have to do is switch off appliances etc when we're not using them.

The other advantage to this is that as we use less electricity and reduce our carbon footprints, we will also reduce our bills and save a load of money as well as the planet.

Reference:

http://carboncreditplanet.com/

http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/carbon01.jsp

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2_human.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0604-tracking_global_carbon.htm