Explainer: Carbon Emissions Simplified

What first thought comes to mind when you hear the word Carbon? A potential hazard to our planet? That isn't true, though. Carbon is essential for life on Earth and all living organisms. It's everywhere: in our bodies, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. Carbon helps regulate the Earth's temperature, making life possible on the planet. It is also essential for our homes, transport, and economies as it provides a significant energy source. Despite its abundance, why is Carbon often viewed negatively? To answer this, we need to understand the carbon cycle.

The Carbon Cycle:

Carbon is essential for all life on Earth because it is needed to form complex molecules such as proteins and DNA. This element is also present in our atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon atoms continuously move from the atmosphere to the Earth and back into the atmosphere. Our planet and its atmosphere form a closed system. Therefore, the total amount of Carbon in this system remains constant, but the location of Carbon—whether in the atmosphere or on Earth—varies.

Most of the Carbon on Earth is stored in rocks and sediments. The rest is found in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. These act as reservoirs or sinks for Carbon. When organisms die, volcanoes erupt, fires burn, fossil fuels are used, and other processes occur, Carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

Humans play an essential role in the carbon cycle by burning fossil fuels or developing land. As a result, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases quickly. It has already been greater than ever in the last 3.6 million years.

To simplify, natural processes such as respiration, decomposition, and volcanic eruptions release CO2. In contrast, natural sinks such as forests and oceans absorb CO2, maintaining a balance. Nature absorbs more CO₂ than it produces, but human carbon emissions exceed natural absorption.

Human activities have disrupted this balance by adding more CO2 than the sinks can handle. As a result, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere is rising yearly. For example, in the 1960s, atmospheric CO2 increased by about 0.8 ppm per year. Today, it is growing by about 2.4 ppm per year, 100 times faster than natural increases observed thousands of years ago.

Carbon Dioxide: Understanding And Importance

In the context of climate change, "carbon" generally refers to carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, Carbon becomes carbon dioxide only when each carbon atom bonds with two oxygen atoms, forming CO2.

Carbon emissions are primarily released when fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and natural gas) are burned. Additionally, CO2 is produced during cement manufacturing and deforestation (when trees are cut down or destroyed). Carbon dioxide, which is colorless and odorless, also forms when living organisms respire.

CO2 is crucial as it absorbs heat from the Earth's surface and re-emits it. It contributes to the greenhouse effect, a natural process in which certain gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space and thus warming the planet. This effect is crucial for maintaining temperatures that support life. Without CO2, our planet would be too cold to sustain life.

However, human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases, intensifying this effect and causing global warming. The elevation in atmospheric CO2 levels significantly contributes to climate change.

Carbon Emissions and Its Effect

Carbon is the fourth most common element in the universe, following hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. It effortlessly combines with other components, forming compounds such as carbon dioxide. This compound is produced through a chemical reaction when a carbon-based fuel, such as gasoline, coal, or wood, is burned. However, the combustion of carbon-based fuels produces CO2, which causes environmental or air pollution.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the Earth's atmosphere contained 280 parts per million of carbon dioxide. By May 2022, the concentration of CO2 has risen to an estimated 421 parts per million.

Carbon dioxide is classified as a greenhouse gas because it can absorb infrared radiation, warming the planet. Instead of dissipating into space, this heat becomes trapped in our atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm up. This results in more severe storms, droughts, and changes in sea levels. A primary climate goal is to reduce carbon emissions.

Causes of Carbon Emmsions: Carbon emissions are primarily caused by manufacturing, energy production, transportation, and destroying natural resources.

Energy Production: Power plants burning coal, oil, and natural gas release substantial CO2 into the atmosphere.

Transportation: Transportation significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, with vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel fuels emitting CO₂ and other pollutants. Transportation emissions are a significant concern.

Industry processes: The sector mainly relies on fossil fuels for energy and raw material production. Cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical industries are considerable Industrial emissions sources.

Destroying natural carbon sinks: Eliminating forests for agriculture and development reduces natural carbon sinks, releasing stored Carbon into the atmosphere.

Comparing Carbon Dioxide Levels: Past vs. Present

Natural levels of CO2 have fluctuated in the past, contributing to warming periods during ice ages. Before the Industrial Revolution, CO2 levels were about 280 parts per million (ppm). Today, they are over 419 ppm, the highest in human history. If we continue to rely on fossil fuels, CO2 levels could reach 800 ppm by the end of the century, conditions not seen for 50 million years.

In the U.S., CO2 accounted for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Significant sources include transportation, 35% of which comes from burning gasoline and diesel. Electricity accounts for 30% of burning coal, natural gas, and oil emissions; industry accounts for 16% of industrial processes and fossil fuel combustion.

The U.S. also manages land and forests that act as CO2 sinks, offsetting about 13% of emissions in 2022. CO2 emissions significantly increased since the Industrial Revolution. By understanding the sources and impacts of CO2, we can take steps to reduce emissions and protect our planet for future generations.

Consequences of Increased CO2 Levels

Increased atmospheric CO2 levels have several potential long-term consequences, also becoming evident as scientific research progresses. Elevated CO2 levels lead to global warming. According to NASA, the Earth's average surface temperature has risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century.

The world's oceans absorb a significant portion of the excess CO2 emitted by human activities. This process leads to ocean acidification, where CO2 reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid. The increased acidity threatens marine life.

Higher global temperatures contribute to melting polar ice caps and glaciers. Climate change intensifies extreme weather events such as heat waves, hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall.

Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns also disrupt ecosystems and threaten biodiversity.

How Do Carbon Sinks Respond To Rising CO2 Levels:

Natural carbon sinks, such as forests and oceans, play a critical role in mitigating the environmental impact of increasing CO2 emissions by absorbing and storing significant amounts of Carbon. However, their capacity to absorb CO2 has limitations.

Forests absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing Carbon in biomass and soil. However, human activities like deforestation reduce forest areas, diminishing their capacity to act as carbon sinks.

Warmer ocean temperatures decrease the solubility of CO2, which reduces the rate at which oceans can absorb it. Once the oceans reach equilibrium, their capacity to absorb additional CO2 diminishes.

Both forests and oceans have limited capacities to absorb CO2. Ongoing environmental changes and human activities can compromise their effectiveness.

Climate change impacts on these natural sinks can create feedback loops that worsen CO2 levels in the atmosphere. For instance, increased forest fires release stored Carbon, and reduced ocean absorption rates elevate atmospheric CO2.

How Can We Lower Carbon Emissions?

Some approaches to reducing carbon pollution include changing habits to use fewer carbon-emitting resources and lowering our carbon footprints by offsetting the emissions we produce. Additionally, it is critical to call for structural changes that discourage carbon-emitting activities and encourage sustainable practices. Below are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint as an individual and organization.

Steps you can take as an individual:

●     Consider using public transportation, a bike, or an electric vehicle. Aim to burn less gasoline or diesel.

●     Change eating habits and eat less or no meat and dairy. Meat accounts for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions.

●     Buy only locally produced food. Possess fewer things and take care of them so they last longer, maximizing the use of carbon emissions from manufacturing and shipping.

●     Conduct an energy audit of your home to discover ways to reduce gas, oil, and electricity use.

●     Offsetting CO2 is a way to counteract the carbon emissions you create. You can reduce emissions by planting trees and investing in carbon-free energy and capture projects.



●     Besides, using energy-efficient appliances, reducing waste, supporting sustainable transportation, and advocating climate-friendly policies can significantly mitigate carbon emissions.

Steps you can take as a business or organization:

● Switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. Use energy-efficient appliances, vehicles, and manufacturing technologies. Develop infrastructure to support EV charging stations.

●    Implement technologies to capture CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial facilities and store them underground. Adopt practices to enhance soil health and carbon storage, such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and agroforestry. Invest in new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. Promote clean energy solutions and sustainable practices across various economic sectors.

●    Implement cleaner production technologies and processes to reduce emissions from industries such as cement, steel, and chemicals. This includes energy-efficient technologies, recycling and waste reduction, and alternative materials.

●   Support international agreements and policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions, such as the Paris Agreement. Raise awareness of CO2 emissions and climate change impacts.

My Takeaways:

By taking steps, I aim to reduce carbon emissions in my daily life and support a more sustainable future. Protecting our planet from the challenges posed by carbon emissions is a shared responsibility and a global necessity, ensuring a flourishing world for all. Here is how I came to this conclusion for myself.

Dietary changes: Acknowledging the impact of food choices on emissions, I will decrease meat and dairy consumption and strictly choose locally-produced food to minimize the carbon footprint associated with agriculture and transportation.

Being mindful of personal carbon emissions: To mitigate my carbon footprint, I will choose public transportation whenever feasible or consider investing in an electric vehicle to reduce reliance on gasoline and diesel.

Also, I plan to conduct an energy audit of my home to identify areas where gas, oil, and electricity usage can be reduced. This will involve using energy-efficient appliances and implementing energy conservation practices. I will only shop from sustainable brands and organizations and reuse and recycle as much as possible.

Personal goals: To offset my emissions, I will invest in carbon offset projects like tree planting and renewable energy initiatives. I will also raise awareness about carbon emissions and support policies promoting sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

Carbon emissions result from every choice we make, from dawn until dusk. The future is in our hands.