Carbon Emissions

​Understanding Carbon Emissions

Environmental Science and Engineering
/rsquieres

Recap/Pop Quiz:
7 Ecological Principles

Carbon Emissions

• Gases released into the atmosphere — mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).

• Produced when we burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) for electricity, transport, and industry.

• Natural sources (volcanoes, respiration) vs. human sources (cars, factories).

Pop Quiz:
Greenhouse Gases

Why carbon emissions matter?

• Carbon gases trap heat in the atmosphere → global warming

• Leads to climate change

  • rising temperatures

  • melting ice

  • stronger storms

  • droughts.

Pop Quiz:
Warmest year on Earth

Carbon Cycle

• Carbon moves between atmosphere, plants, oceans, and soil.

• Human activity adds extra carbon, upsetting the natural balance.

Paris Agreement

• The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.

• It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015.

• Goal: to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Major Sources of Carbon Emissions

• Energy production (power plants)

• Transportation (cars, airplanes)

• Agriculture (livestock methane)

• Deforestation (less CO₂ absorbed by trees)

Global Warming Potential

Carbon Sinks

Global Impact of CO₂ emissions

• Polar ice melting, rising sea levels

• Threats to wildlife and ecosystems

• Health issues (air pollution, heatwaves)

Video:
Understanding carbon footprint

Reducing carbon footpirnt

One tree can make a difference.

Class Activity: Carbon Emissions Audit in the Workplace

• Conducting a carbon emissions audit for electrical equipment in an institution is a structured process that involves identifying, measuring, and reporting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the institution’s electricity use.

• Each will be grouped into 3 members and will conduct inventory of all electrical equipment that consumes in the offices & workshop areas of institution

• This will be done when F2F classes resumes

Pop Quiz:
Check your knowledge