Sustainability Infographic

SOLUTIONS TO CO2 EMISSIONS AND HUMAN ACTIVITY CONSEQUENCES

III) SOLUTION TO CO2 EMISSIONS: REMOVE CARBON POLLUTION FROM THE ATMOSPHERE

II) SOLUTION TO CO2 EMISSIONS: REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

I) CO2 EMISSIONS: IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY AND CONSEQUENCES

SUMMARY

WHERE IS IT?

CO2 emissions into the atmosphere can be of natural or anthropogenic origin (from human activities). The anthropogenic source has been growing rapidly over the past few decades. Once emitted, the gas is partly absorbed by natural carbon sinks. This absorption doubled from 1960 to 2010, but half of the CO2 released by human activities accumulates in the atmosphere, so that in November 2020, atmospheric CO2 concentration reached 413 ppm (parts per million), up from 280 ppm before the Industrial Revolution. This increase intensifies the greenhouse effect, which causes an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

WHAT IS IT?A molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) is made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas that helps to trap heat in our atmosphere. An emission of carbon dioxide is a release of this gas into the Earth's atmosphere, regardless of its source. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the second most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, after water vapor, with the two contributing 26% and 60% to the greenhouse effect, respectively.

A. CO2 EMISSIONS

Since the onset of industrial times in the 18th century, human activities have raised atmospheric CO2 by 50% – meaning the amount of CO2 is now 150% of its value in 1750.The 4 main causes: 87 percent of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil. The remainder results from the clearing of forests and other land use changes (9%), as well as some industrial processes such as cement manufacturing (4%)

There are both natural and human sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release and respiration. Human sources come from activities like cement production, deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Due to human activities, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has been rising extensively since the Industrial Revolution and has now reached dangerous levels not seen in the last 3 million years. Human sources of carbon dioxide emissions are much smaller than natural emissions but they have upset the natural balance that existed for many thousands of years before the influence of humans.

B.TO WHAT EXTENT IS HUMAN ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE OF CO2 PRODUCTION?

C. CONSEQUENCES OF CO2 EMISSIONS ON THE PLANET

B. TO WHAT EXTENT IS HUMAN ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE OF CO2 PRODUCTION?

A. CO2 EMISSIONS

I) CO2 EMISSIONS: IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY AND CONSEQUENCES

Another reason carbon dioxide is important in the Earth system is that it dissolves into the ocean like the fizz in a can of soda. It reacts with water molecules, producing carbonic acid and lowering the ocean's pH (raising its acidity). Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of the ocean's surface waters has dropped from 8.21 to 8.10. This drop in pH is called ocean acidification

CO2 and other greenhouse gasses like CH4 emissions are trapped in the atmosphere (this is called the greenhouse effect) and that is increasing global warming and therefore climate change. So CO2 has a direct impact on climate change: https://climate.ec.europa.eu/climate-change/consequences-climate-change_en

C.CONSEQUENCES OF CO2 EMISSIONS ON THE PLANET

C. REDUCTION OF OUR INDIVIDUAL CARBON FOOTPRINT

B. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN KEY SECTORS

A. TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY SOURCES

II) SOLUTION TO CO2 EMISSIONS: REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

- Energy Efficiency: Retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient systems. Encouraging industries to adopt low-energy production methods. - Phasing Out Fossil Fuels: Gradually eliminate coal, oil, and natural gas by providing incentives for cleaner alternatives.

- Adopting Renewable Energy: Promote solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy to replace fossil fuels.

A. TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY SOURCES

- Urban Planning:Designing cities to promote walking and cycling through bike lanes and pedestrian zones.- Green Fuels:Supporting research and adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels, and synthetic fuels for aviation and shipping. Agriculture and Land Use:- Reforestation and Afforestation:Large-scale tree planting initiatives and forest restoration projects to absorb atmospheric CO2.- Sustainable Farming:Encouraging techniques like crop rotation, reduced tillage, and precision farming to lower emissions from soil and fertilizers.- Reducing Livestock Emissions: Introducing plant-based diets, lab-grown meat alternatives, and methane-reducing feed additives for cattle.- Preserving Existing Carbon Sinks:Implementing policies to prevent deforestation and protect wetlands and mangroves.

- Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) for personal and public use, supported by investments in widespread EV charging stations.- Public Transportation: Expanding and modernizing public transport systems to make them more accessible, efficient, and eco-friendly. For example, electric buses and trains.

B.SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN KEY SECTORS

->a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.

C. REDUCTION OF OUR INDIVIDUAL CARBON FOOTPRINT

C. CO2 POLLUTION REMOVAL WITH LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

B. CO2 POLLUTION REMOVAL ON LAND

A. WHAT IS CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL?

III) SOLUTIONS TO CO2 EMISSIONS: REMOVE CARBON POLLUTION FROM THE ATMOSPHERE

A.WHAT IS CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL?

B.CO2 POLLUTION REMOVAL WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhxrMbjVlRw

C.CO2 POLLUTION REMOVAL WITH LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES