|
Direct Carbon Dioxide Emissions. When we consume energy derived from fossil fuels, the generation of the energy (whether using gasoline in cars, heating our houses with natural gas, or lighting our houses with electricity) produces greenhouse gases. In 2003, the average american household produced 12.4 tons of carbon dioxide from its household operations and approximately 11.7 tons from its automotive uses.
Indirect Emissions
All energy consumed in the economy, that is not directly due to the consumer, results in indirect greenhouse gas emissions. When we buy a new product, that product has substantial embodied energy in it from its manufacture, packaging and delivery. Also, when we visit an air-conditioned store or eat an avocado in New York that was grown in California, we produce indirect carbon dioxide emissions. In 2003, total indirect carbon emissions per household in USA were 35 tons as you can see in the illustration.
All carbon emissions ultimately can be traced back to the consumer. A team from the Union of Concerned Scientists allocated our indirect emissions to various consumer practices. They then combined the direct emissions and the indirect allocations for each functional consumer activity. The resulting analysis is shown at the right in the pie chart.
About 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions (or 14,160 pounds of carbon dioxide per household) result from just growing, preparing and shipping our food. And 6% of emissions (or about 7,080 pounds of carbon dioxide per household) derive from the delivery of medical services to consumers.
Source: The American report How do we contribute individually to Global warming where the subject of indirect emissions is covered more in depth.
UN climate experts estimates that before 2050 we have to reduce our emissions with 90% to avoid destorying living conditions for our children and granchildren.
However the average level of CO2 emission varies a lotl from country to country depending on the level of consumption.
Illustration: comparing emissions per capita
|
