ZEROCO2 | The ABCs of CO2

CO₂ AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Alarming findings
Over the last 200 years we have seen a significant increase in the level of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere. These three gasses, known collectively as greenhouse gasses (GHGs) contribute to global warming by trapping excessive amounts of long-wave infrared radiation emitted by the Earth. CO₂ constitutes 79.8% of all GHG emissions in Quebec.
The Greenhouse Effect: An essential phenomenon for life on earth Climate change and global warming Causes What is a ton of CO₂? Consequences Adopting of solutions on an international scale Possible short and long term efforts
The Greenhouse Effect: An essential phenomenon for life on earth
Carbon gas (CO₂), methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour are naturally present in the atmosphere, trapping heat that would otherwise disappear into space. Without these greenhouse gasses, the Earth’s temperature would be –18°C instead of its present 15°C! Unfortunately, the considerable increase in the amount of GHGs emitted by human activities, which we contribute to every day, is in the process of unbalancing this precious atmospheric equilibrium, causing disturbing climatic changes.
Climate change and global warming
Climate change constitutes a long-term shift in weather conditions. It results in the global warming seen today, namely, an increase in average temperatures around the planet. Since the beginning of the last century, the average temperature has increased 0.6°C. In the coming century, scientists predict a temperature increase which, in the worst-case scenario, could reach 6°C.

Causes

It has been proven that we are primarily responsible for this global warming. Our atmosphere, once filled with all of these gasses, traps more heat, causing the greenhouse effect that is responsible for global warming. The Industrial Revolution—the burning of fossil fuels and massive deforestation—is among the many factors responsible for the increase in gas emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect (mainly CO₂). In 2006 in Quebec, the transportation sector generated the most GHGs (cars and trucks, aircraft, boats, trains), accounting for more than 40% of total emissions.

In fact, most of our daily activities and habits release CO₂into the atmosphere (1,000 kg = 1 ton):

Surfing for 1 minute on the Internet: 1.2 g of CO₂
Importing 1 kilo of grapes from Chili by air: 6 kg of CO₂
Production of 1 kilo of beef: 36 kg of CO₂
Use of a cell phone over the course of a year: 112 kg of CO₂
Lighting a home for a year: 135 kg of CO₂
Manufacturing of a computer and screen: 275 kg of CO₂
Production of a ton of polystyrene: 2,830 kg of CO₂
A return flight between Paris and New York: 3,670 kg of CO₂
Extraction and burning of a ton of petroleum: 3,760 kg of CO₂

What is a ton of CO₂?
One always hears of the number of tons of CO₂ that we emit. But what does a ton of CO₂ actually represent?
CO₂ is a colourless, odourless gas. It is found in the atmosphere at a level of about 0.03%. A ton of CO₂ is the equivalent of a swimming pool 10 metres wide, 25 metres long and 2 metres deep. However, by looking at the examples mentioned above, the manufacture of only four computers and their screens causes emissions equivalent to that swimming pool.
Consequences
Climate change results in the increase in the average temperatures of the atmosphere and oceans, accelerated melting of glaciers and snow cover, increase in ocean levels, extreme weather such as flooding, droughts, forest fires, hurricanes and heat waves. Global warming can potentially have an enormous impact on our ecosystem, causing 20 to 30% of animal and plant species to disappear.



Adopting solutions on an international scale
In 1997, in an attempt to slow climate change, 160 countries met in Kyoto, Japan, resulting in a commitment of industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% compared to 1990 levels. Despite this global mobilization, every individual’s contribution remains vital and indispensable to the fight against climate change, a fight that will be crucial in the coming years. That’s why we must start today to slow the warming of the planet, both in the short and long term.
Possible short- and long-term actions
To slow global warming in the long term, becoming more energy efficient, using alternate fuels and reducing our energy consumption, are part of the solutions to be brought in. In the short term, our actions must begin with the immediate change in our habits in order to reduce our CO₂ emissions at the source as quickly as possible. The creation of “carbon wells” through the planting of trees and the purchase of carbon credits constitute concrete and effective ways of offsetting our harmful habits, while awaiting the progressive adoption of more responsible behaviours and the development of a more green and sustainable economy.



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