In this lab we explored the effect a given individual has on the issue of global warming. In part A, which determined the individual output of CO¬2 per year, we measured the mass of the CO¬2 that completely filled the plastic bag, as well as the elapsed time from start to end. From that data, we concluded that a single person can produce about 5.06 x 105 grams of CO2 per year. Although that may seem like an enormous amount, in perspective of the vast size of the Earth’s atmosphere, it barely constitutes 1 percent of the atmosphere. In the second part of the lab, we calculated the amount of CO¬2 that is produced by cars in a year. In my case, my Honda Odyssey travels about 13000 miles per year with a gas mileage of about 25 miles per gallon. …show more content…
In the first part, it is important to address the fact that each individual has different lung capacities. Therefore, the calculated amount of CO2 of each individual will vary from one to the other, resulting in a small variation of the actual amount of CO2 each person outputs per year. In addition, while doing the lab there are several sources of error that can have a direct effect on the calculations. The air escaping from the bag while sealing it, the improper balancing of the bag while measuring its mass and the small amounts of air retained within the bag before flattening it, all influence the final result of the lab. The error could be minimized, if the container used to hold the CO2 was more sophisticated towards retaining air. A simple ziplock bag will always allow some air to leave; however, an experiment involving a completely sealed off room will greatly minimize errors. Finally, to maximize greater efficiency of the total yearly output of CO2 each individual has, measuring the amount of CO2 in smaller amounts of time would be necessary. In the lab, we measured the amount of CO2 needed to fill up a plastic bag and used the elapsed time to find the grams per second value. However, i0066 data from experiments with longer breaths and longer periods of time would be more accurate in finding the exact yearly output of
The rising issue of CO2 emissions in the United States is a problem that we cannot ignore any longer. The main sources of carbon dioxide emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These emissions also come from everyday use of electricity, transportation and industry. Automobiles, large highways, and leaving your lights in your house on are all everyday examples that emit carbon dioxide. (EPA, "Overview of Greenhouse Gases") Carbon dioxide emissions, which have increased by 7% in the U.S. since 1990, are a dangerous and potent greenhouse gas yielded at a higher rate through coal burning than most other natural gas burning. Increased levels of carbon dioxide can lead to climate change and an increased
With the automobile, came one of the most widely used technologies in the world, the invention of the internal combustion engine which has left a noticeable impact on many parts of today’s world. One of the most widely debated and controversial topics having to do with the automobile is its effect on the environment. Al Gore, former United States Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize award winner, has spent many years trying to argue the negative effects that the internal combustion engine leaves on our planet. In his presidential campaign in 2000, he preached the ideas of a cleaner environment and better ways of living. He said, “When we seek to artificially enhance our capacity to acquire what we need from the earth, we do so at the direct expense of the earth’s ability to provide naturally what we are seeking. We frequently ignore the impact of our technological alchemy on natural processes. When we manufacture millions of internal combustion engines and automate the conversion of oxygen to CO2, we interfere with the earth’s ability to cleanse itself of the impurities that are normally removed from the atmosphere.” He has led many people to believe that the automobile of today is leaving a terrible and lasting effect on the earth’s atmosphere, and that it is one of the primary causes of the term “Global Warming.” Although Gore has had a giant following and
“1 gallon of gas =24 pounds of global warming emissions” (UCSUSA). Many of the people in our world today don’t understand just how much The Automobile affects us, our lives, and the world we live in. Undoubtedly, the invention of the car has changed our perspective on the different technology created over the past years. However, cars are some of the leading factors towards one of the largest ongoing problems occurring in our world today. That problem goes by the name of global warming. “Since 1990, Transportation has been one of the fastest growing sources of U.S. GHG” (U.S.D.T), otherwise known as Greenhouse gasses. In which most of us know; global warming affects our health, environment, weather, and ultimately our lives. It is a
Task four is about shows how global warming affects the earth. This is about all the impacts that global warming causes. This is also about what will global warming do t the earth in the future.
Global warming and climate change attributed to increased emission of greenhouse gases have continued to be pressing issues in today’s society since they threaten the stability of the climate, population, and economy of the world (“Meeting the Energy Challenge”, 2007). The challenges associated with global warming and climate change is attributed to the fact that 75 percent of world’s carbon dioxide
Our lives involve the emission of theses dangerous greenhouse gases (Bushnell 25). Carbon dioxide has increased to
Greenhouse gases are accumulating and the dominant cause seems to be the “fossil-fuel-based human economy” (Goodland 604). Greenhouse gases are accumulating in the atmosphere and fast; greenhouse gases include the release of carbon dioxide from burning coal, natural gas, and
You may have heard people talking about how the weather is very different today than it was ten years ago. You may have noticed changes in the weather yourself. The earth's climate has changed many times over millions of years. And you may have heard about Global Warming. You may ask what Global Warming is. I remember the first time I ever saw and heard about Global Warming when I was just a little girl. I was watching the TV and a commercial came on, it was a cartoon with two kids and an adult. They were in the park enjoying the day. The adult started talking about Global Warming, the kids didn’t know what he was talking about, so he fast forward the time and showed them what the earth is going to look like when they are
Cars and truck account for 20% of all U.S. global warming emissions, where more than 24 pounds per gallon of carbon dioxide and other global warming gases come right out of the car’s tailpipe (“Union of Concerned scientists”). This frightening statistic is part of the reason why the federal government has put in place many policies and incentives such as the Clean Air Act, The National Program for greenhouse gas emissions, Catalytic Converter Federal Laws, and incentives of $12,000 in California to get people to upgrade to more fuel-efficient cars. With such programs and incentives put in places, it is also important that car companies such as Toyota and Ford also take action to further cut pollution rates. They have done so by
According to Huffington Post, there are over a billion cars on the road every day. This contributes to the major cause behind global warming; Carbon Dioxide. In 2012, approximately 35.599 billion metric tons of Carbon Dioxide were spewed into the air. That is 61% higher than in the 1990s. If this rate of carbon dioxide emission is not drastically reduced, the melting of Earth's ice sheets will not only contribute to increasing temperatures but threaten all of mankind. On March 18, Carbon Dioxide levels have for the first time
Automobile pollution increases global warming and causes severe damage to environmental and public health. Carbon dioxide emissions from automobile engines are the leading cause of global warming (Ridlington & Madsen, 2014). Temperatures across the country are experiencing a significant increase causing ice to melt and a rise in sea level. This results in frequent coastal flooding that consequently comes with devastating outcomes such as high
Global warming has been a controversial topic for years and some have even denied its existence; however, as more studies are being published every day in regards to our changing climate, it is hard to ignore this growing issue and how humans contribute to it. The term greenhouse gases refers to the group of gases that are primarily responsible for global warming and chief among these gases is carbon dioxide. Rising carbon dioxide levels can be attributed to a combination of burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum as well as deforestation in general ( Source A). To slow the effects of global warming, it is important for leaders in our society to consider their greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, and make
Every year, almost 7 billion tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by human activity. That is the equivalent of 107,700,000 jet airplanes being in the air at once! This harrowing figure is the main cause of global warming, and has been increasing for the last 50 years. Global warming is caused by the increase of greenhouse gasses, carbon dioxide and methane primarily, in the earth's upper atmosphere directly caused by human burning of fossil fuels, industrial, farming, and deforestation activities. Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic
The concept of global warming has become one of the most widely debated and controversial topics of our time. Scientists learned long ago that the earth’s climate has powerfully shaped the history of humanity. However, it is only in the past few decades that research has revealed that humans have a significant influence on the climate as well. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that since 1950, the world’s climate has been warming, primarily as a result of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of tropical forests. More importantly, an article titled "Global Warming" published in the New York Times shows that methane, a gas that is emitted from landfills, livestock and oil gas facilities,
Greenhouse gases come from such mainstays of modern life as electrical power plants, automobiles, and heavy industry. Growing consumption of fuel by less efficient cars and light trucks suggests that motor vehicles may soon overtake industry as the largest source of gases suspected of causing global warming by effectively creating a greenhouse around the Earth. Many people do not want to decrease their standard of living by reducing their consumption of fossil fuels. These people do not realize that if they reduce their consumption, there will be a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases. If this does not happen and global warming continues, the long-term effects may be catastrophic.