What impact do CO2 emissions have on our planet?
CO2 (carbon dioxide) is a gas that occurs naturally in our atmosphere. CO2 keeps the Earth warm, and human activity is causing the layer of this gas to become even thicker, acting like a greenhouse—the so-called greenhouse effect.
Globally, more CO2 is being emitted than the Earth can absorb. This means that the Earth is warming, with all the consequences that entails. CO2 emissions must therefore be reduced to restore the Earth’s balance.
Absorb carbon dioxide
On one side of the ecological balance, the “oceans” are listed as a major component, alongside the “atmosphere, biosphere, and soil.” Oceans absorb the vast majority of CO2 through a natural process. CO2 dissolves in water, releasing carbonic acid. This causes ocean acidification, lowering the pH level. If the pH level drops below the optimal range, our underwater fauna will not survive.
Biochemical mechanisms represent a smaller component of the balance. Forests—and particularly the tropical rainforest—absorb H₂O (water) and CO₂ during photosynthesis, releasing O₂ (oxygen) in the process.
To maintain balance both above and below the water’s surface, we must reduce the CO₂ concentration in the air. We do this by emitting less and offsetting more.
Where do CO2 emissions come from?
The exponential growth in CO2 emissions is coming from us. As hard as it is to face, we humans are disrupting the balance. On average, we emit 4.4 metric tons of CO2 per year. The CO2 released when fuels are burned is called CO2 emissions.
On a global scale, our little country stands out clearly on the map, with an average of over 15 metric tons of CO2 emissions per resident. CO2 emissions have risen sharply since the Industrial Revolution.
What causes CO2 emissions?
- Energy. It is by far the biggest culprit, accounting for 32.10 billion metric tons per year. Globally, most electricity is still generated by burning oil and gas.
- Industry. Fossil fuels and chemical processes are literally killing the planet, emitting 3.25 billion metric tons per year.
- Agriculture. You can’t afford to eat even a small piece of beef if you want to be environmentally responsible. Meat production (especially beef) accounts for 165 million metric tons per year.
- Waste. The incineration of waste results in the emission of millions of metric tons (26.7) of CO2 each year.
Want to know how you can make a difference? Read the blog: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint.
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