Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is an essential component on planet earth. All manner of activities generate carbon emissions, right from breathing to driving a car or operating machinery.
We need CO2, which essentially traps some of the sun’s rays in the atmosphere, causing the planet to remain at a habitable temperature. However in recent years, human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, has led to an increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, creating a blanket of sorts. The current level of CO2 is the highest ever in the last 650,000 years. This blanket could drastically alter the earth’s atmosphere, making life on this planet, impossible. We can already see the results in what is known as global warming, with climate changes occurring throughout the world. And its impact is already being felt, right from the threat it poses to Polar bears who are struggling to survive as the polar ice caps melt earlier in the year, to the rising sea levels, tsunamis and increase in forest fires, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions.
The average American generates around 20 tonnes of CO2 per year. If we are to limit climate change, scientists estimate that we need to reduce it to less than 2.5 tonnes per year. Sounds impossible? It is in fact achievable through a number of changes in our daily lifestyles.
To calculate your carbon footprint no matter where you live, visit http://www.safeclimate.net/calculator
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