The worldwide population’s rapid increase and the development of economic and industrial sectors have had a significant impact on the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon emissions both on land and at sea. What exactly is it? The term “carbon footprint” was invented to explain and address this problem. This phrase, which refers to the harmful influence that human activity has on the environment, is frequently used in online publications, news reports, academic research, global development conferences.
It has a detrimental influence on the environment in many ways: It is the most significant cause of human-induced climate change, it contributes to urban air pollution, it contributes to acid rain pollution, it adds to coastal and ocean acidification, and it exacerbates glacial melt.
We are a part of an ecology where everything is linked. And each of our actions creates a chain of events that has an impact on the planet and our future on it. That also includes our carbon footprint.
How Does a Carbon Footprint Impact the Environment?
Carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere by three methods in general – decomposition, breathing, and ocean release. Global economic and industrial activities are important contributors to increasing carbon dioxide levels in the air, and carbon footprint is a metric that assesses their environmental effect.
The pressing problem of the 21st century, which has a widespread effect in many sectors, is described below. Transportation, energy production, burning fossil fuels for power, commercial and residential waste disposal, and food production all emit greenhouse gases. The resulting “greenhouse effect” emits thermal infrared radiation that keeps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming by trapping heat.
How Carbon Emissions Contribute to Urban Air Pollution
By burning fossil fuels and generating toxic atmospheric pollutants, such as heavy metals with severe health effects, industries have a significant environmental effect.
Smog is occurring more frequently than ever before, in terms of both frequency and severity. In technical language, ground-level ozone’s photochemical oxidant production is referred to as smog. Ozone typically occurs at both the stratosphere and the surface, where it serves as a sunscreen.
The protective ozone layer that exists in the upper atmosphere, also known as stratospheric ozone, protects us from UV radiation. Chemicals released into the environment by humans are responsible for depleting the good ozone layer, which has become more common recently.
It is not generated naturally. It’s a chemical reaction that occurs because of CO2 transportation and industrial emissions in the sunshine, resulting in smog being prevalent on hot summer days. The air gets hazy and becomes almost impossible to see through, which has a major impact on daily life and is linked to significant health risks
How Carbon Emissions Led to Toxic Acid Rain
Acid rain is another consequence of human activities’ increasing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere
Large amounts of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere when energy plants burn fossil fuels. Humans aren’t harmed by walking in acid rain. When SO2 and NOX combine with sulphate and nitrate particles in the air, though, it becomes a major issue. It impacts people by causing respiratory issues including asthma or bronchitis as well as cancer.
Acid rain has both direct and indirect detrimental ecological effects. They leach important minerals like calcium and release aluminium, making it difficult for new life to develop. Acid rain also damages trees’ leaves by drastically reducing light and nutrient supply.
Acid rain can also deplete lakes of phytoplankton, which is a crucial food source for a variety of insects. Many fish, frogs, and birds rely on insects as their sole source of food, so the loss of insect biodiversity may have far-reaching consequences.
Whole Life Carbon Assessments
Whole Life Carbon (WLC) Assessments are recommended for anyone aiming to minimise all the carbon emissions associated with their development. SRE’s sustainability specialists work with clients to ascertain the embodied energy, as well as the operational energy load of a potential development. Workable solutions are then identified to reduce lifetime emissions.
