Return to Table of Contents

Where is the CO₂ coming from?

If we focus on the anthropologic emissions of CO₂ we can find out where the CO₂ is coming from and then we know who is to blame! The allocation of greenhouse gases is clearly shown indicating that the utility industry is a prime contributor as well as transportation. Utilities are easier to impact as there are far fewer utility plants than vehicles (500 coal fired utilities, 106 or so nuclear utilities etc.) You also get much more carbon dioxide from coal than you do from the other fossil fuels so coal-fired utilities are an obvious point source of carbon dioxide.

Source: NETL Carbon emissions are from the energy intensive operations, mostly electric utilities and transportation contributing 2/3 or 66% of the emissions.

Source: NETL Copmbustion Calculations - HHV basis For the same amount of fuel energy, coal will release more CO2. Why are they nt all the same?

This should come as no surprise. Recall that we obtain energy from the following reaction:

C (in oil or gas or coal or biomass) + O₂
CO (2/3 of the energy) is from this step and then CO
CO₂

So when we combust the fossil fuels or biomass (wood) or gasoline or diesel we release CO₂ into the atmosphere. As much of our energy is from the chemical energy stored in the fossil fuels we release a great deal of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

So I can blame the utility industry and the automotive industry right?

Look in the mirror: You use the electricity to power this computer, light your surroundings, play that stereo (turn it down it is too loud!). You drive the car (that Jack built) and so you are to blame (me too). What we need is a technological solution, or a change in our behavior. Both are not easy to discover (technology) or implement.There is also a significant impact on changing land use, natural events such as volcanoes or forest fires (don't forget!)