Scientific considerations of carbon footprint Essay

Scientific considerations of carbon footprint - Essay Example This is a reason for the alert signal the global warming has created the worldover. The CO2 emission in UK households is shown below, the transport and energy consumption being the biggest emitters (Fig. 1 . from Weidmann and Minx 2007 from SEI et. al. 2006). FIG. 1 1.2 Aims and Objectives of the Report The present report is an attempt to search for the answers of the following: 1. What are the probable effects of climate change on our economy 2. What are the options to the local authorities to reduce carbon footprint of their area.What are their strengths and constraints 3. How do corporate can help combat global warming. Can they be model for cognitive approach to this issue. 4. How sustainable development is linked to environment management 1.3 Effects of Climate Changes on our Economy The climate change due to carbon emission may affect the world economy as follows: - The productivity of food to be reduced, increasing the prices of all basic commodities along with food - Increasing the household and business consumption of energy and costs since coolinguses more energy than heating. - Increasing heat related illnesses and infectious diseases affecting quality of life - Damage to the natural environment and disturbing the biodiversity - Parts of Africa and Asia may become uninhabitable through drought or flooding as aresult other parts of world coming under pressure due to migration (Man.CityCouncil,2008)). 2. Role of Local Bodies in Tackling Climate Change Issue 2.1 OPTIONS AND INITIATIVES Consider an example of Manchester in UK. The Manchester City Council (2008) quotes DEFRA (2004)... Weidmann and Minx (2007) include only CO2 in the analysis though greenhouse gases are a mixture methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide etc.,along with CO2, many of these cannot be measured like CO2. Moreover, they feel when all gases included it should be termed 'climate footprint' instead since many of the gases do not even have carbon. The emission of greenhouse gases cause global warming i.e. the global temperature may increase more than 2oC by the end of this century. The government has proposed a Climate Change Bill whereby a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050 has been set. But there are doubts about this target as the research indicated that reduction in carbon footprint should exceed 60% to keep temperature increase within 20C. This is a reason for the alert signal the global warming has created the worldover. The CO2 emission in UK households is shown below, the transport and energy consumption being the biggest emitters (Fig. 1 . from Weidmann and Minx 2007 from SEI et. al. 2006). Consider an example of Manchester in UK. The Manchester City Council (2008) quotes DEFRA (2004) that the city emits over 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The break up is 47% commercial, 30% domestic and 23% transport.