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Carbon Footprints

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Carbon Footprints

Weidema, Thrane, Christensen, Schmidt, and Løkke, jointly authored an article in the year 2008, which was entitled as “Carbon footprint: a catalyst for life cycle assessment?” The authors of the article have described the popularity of the term of carbon footprint in the modern times. The authors have also stressed the point that there is a need to improve the use of carbon footprinting, in order to ensure the safety of the atmosphere. The article also included the details that the non-governmental organizations have started raising the awareness among the general public, about the critical position of the carbon footprinting. In order to control the emission of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, the NGOs have suggested that there should be less air traffic and renewable resources should be utilized more, as compared to the fossil fuels. The main purpose of the article was to shed light on the concept that keeping in view the carbon footprinting of the human activities and environmental changes, would provide the opportunity of making a difference towards positivity and progress (Weidema et al., 2008).

According to my carbon footprint, I participate in the global carbon cycle on a routine basis. One of the most important activities that have become an essential part of the life of every person is travelling. I also travel on a routine basis to reach my workplace and mostly use the bus for this purpose, which uses fuel and adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide becomes part of the atmosphere due to the respiration of human beings, as well as other living beings. They inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. After that, plants use this carbon dioxide, through the process of photosynthesis to make their own food. The food prepared by plants is consumed by animals and human beings, who again exhale carbon into the atmosphere. In addition to it, the combustion of fossil fuel also adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. It does not exit from the atmosphere and remains a part of it.

Human beings contribute to the carbon cycle in a number of ways. The very first and important contribution is through the use of fossil fuels. In addition to it, human beings manage the factories to produce different goods. Steam used in the process of manufacturing in factories, adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere which is greater in mas compared to the carbon dioxide produced by the fuel using vehicles and transport services. Another important activity through which the human beings add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is deforestation and burning of crops or forests. When the main consumers of carbon dioxide gas would be harmed and reduced in number, the gas would not be utilized and stay a part of the atmosphere. It would react with other greenhouse gases and give rise to other poisonous or hazardous gases.

Getting to know about the carbon footprinting makes the human beings aware of the quantity of carbon dioxide which would be added to the atmosphere as the result of their activity. It would help them to make an estimate of the future and change their habits and routine, in order to save the atmosphere and contribute towards its betterment. So, human beings need to replace the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy means. There should be less use of transport services which add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and cycling or even walking can be made a part of the lifestyle, which would not only save the environment but also improve the health of the individual. In addition to it, there should be a greater focus on forestation, so that carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere is utilized in the process.

Reference

Weidema, B. P., Thrane, M., Christensen, P., Schmidt, J., & Løkke, S. (2008). Carbon footprint: a catalyst for life cycle assessment? Journal of Industrial Ecology, 12(1), 3-6.