ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Environmentalism is a broad and very abstract philosophy regarding on each individuals (Lincoln, C, 2009). We need strong social movement (like organisation, society, government policies and many more) that give greater concerns regarding on environmental improvement, energy- efficiency, climate changing factors, global warming issues and issue on depleting of main energy sources (e.g ; oil, natural gas and coal) .

Source: http://www.airdex.com/environmental.html

UN has set-up a well-known protocol which known as Kyoto Protocol on 11 Dec 1997 at Kyoto, Japan, to address and solve various issues on environment. Kyoto Protocol is a protocol that aimed to fight global warming issue. There are 37 countries in the world that volunteer themselves to a reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). One of it is our country, Malaysia. (http://unfccc.int/files/kyoto_protocol/status_of_ratification/application/pdf/kp_ratification.pdf, 2009)

So, what is greenhouse ?

IPCC (2008) has defined that a greenhouse phenomenon happens due to the existence of greenhouse gas (sometimes abbreviated GHG), where these gases (in an atmosphere) absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_green_house_effect.svg

Thus, this effect will rise the temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth’s average temperature would be about 60ºF colder (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/greenhouse.html, 2010). This has also contribute towards climate changing problems in our world today and created global warming issues.

The concept of Carbon Print

Greenhouses effect has directly linked to the concept and problems of carbon print issue.The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint discussion which reflected towards  a measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems [Safire, William (2008-02-17), Footprint". The New York Times].

A carbon footprint can be defined as "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person" (UK Carbon Trust. Retrieved 2009-07-24). It is often elaborated in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted to the world.This measures your impact on the environment based on how much carbon dioxide you produce to support your daily activities.

Source: caglecartoons.com/

The term “carbon footprint” has become a very trendy and recognizable phrase in the last  decade.  Indeed, this concept is very related to my PhD research on solar technology (PVs technology). Government of Malaysia had announced in the Plan of Malaysia 7th, 8th and 9th which stated that a big incentive for installing or considering solar power for nation buildings. This is by any chance to contribute towards the prospect of reducing carbon footprint, so the discussion of what exactly a carbon footprint is and what it actually measures might be important and wise thing to do.

Lets see what types of activities in daily lives contribute to GHG emissions.

Source: http://1bog.org/blog/what-is-a-carbon-footprint/

See also this cartoon, it might give you some idea on what happens to our world today..

 

Source: http://www.chrismadden.co.uk/

Or, maybe this cartoon will give you greater ideas on why carbon-footprint is related to  global warming..Industrialisation-transportation-human activities

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/the_carbon_foot.php 

And I do hope that one day, we will not facing this...

Source: http://www.internationalrivers.org

People throughout the world especially great leaders from many countries are always creating new policies, new laws, plans, blah..blahh..blahh, meeting, discussion..but where are the actions? 

Here’s a list of things to create more energy efficient and sustainable life:

• Groceries : Use reusable water bottles, buy items with less packaging, buy locally grown foods (so, less transportation and CO2 emission-less carbon prints-voila!), eat less meat (heat-heat-heat contribution) .
• Buy second-hand (so, less production, manufacturing, industries..errr..it is so damn hard, right!).
• Use e-mails, instead of paper mail, newspapers
• Travel-: Take public transportation (less of oil and gas will be used - remember depleting issues, less car manufacturing, err..what will happen to Japan then?), Ride your bike and walk (good for your metabolism),Teleconference instead of flying, Inflate your tires, avoid/less using air-conditioning for your car (my friends yelled at me ~ are You insane???!!). hahaha
• Electrical appliances : Unplug seldom-used appliances (especially when you are sleeping or not at home), switch to Energy Star or other energy efficient appliances.
• Plantation : Plant native trees (so, no transportation will be used for importing/exporting overseas plants, lots of lots of plants
• Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
• Buy renewable energy (Yes, Go Solar! Photovoltaics Solar System)

By applying most of this suggestion, less carbon foot-prints are achievable! Not only by me and you (who ever read this article, but hopefully many countries can applys these suggestion..).We have been polluting our world too much. Yes, we have tried to do something about it. People have tried to come up with a new, renewable energy source that is easily obtained. We have already figured out several non-polluting techniques: wind, water and solar power. I will write in another chapter about Renewable Energy.

Thanks to my favourite blog for the utmost input and data
http://1bog.org/blog/what-is-a-carbon-footprint/