SCI203 Phase 3 Lab Report

SCI203 Phase 3 Lab Report
Sources of CO2 Emissions
Sharon Patton
June 8, 2015
Colorado Technical University

Purpose
The purpose of this report is to determine the increase or decrease in CO2 emission over the past 40 years. Showing that human activity is the reason for the altering of the CO2 emissions to the earth. Resulting in the unbalancing of ecosystems across the globe. (M.U.S.E., 2010)
Introduction
Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the Earth 's carbon cycle. Yet human-related emissions are responsible for the increase in CO2 emissions. The use of electricity accounts for 37% of total U.S. emissions, while transportation 31%, industry accounts for 15%, residential and commercial 10%, and other non-fossil fuel combustion 6%. That is 99% of the total globe greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States increased by about 7% between 1990 and 2013. (EPA, 2015) Not leaving out pollution also a contributor of increases in anthropogenic CO2. These things are the cause of the earth heating up, or global warming. Trees and plants help soak up the CO2 in the atmosphere but with the tearing down of trees to build industry buildings, residential and commercial buildings there are fewer trees and plants to take in CO2 for photosynthesis.
Hypothesis and Predicted Outcomes
If humans could find other resources that do not involve the combustion of fossil fuels, maybe there could be a chance to slow down the increasing CO2 emissions, if not the globe will continues to heat becoming more and more hazardous to humans, animals and plants on this planet.

Methods
For this lab I utilized information taken from the M.U.S.E as well as information gleaned from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The chart below an information gathered for the
Results and Outcomes
CO2 concentration trends from 1990 to 2005
Location Code
Name of City/Country
CO2 Emissions in 1990
CO2 Emissions in 2005
SUM
Summit, Greenland
N/A
377
BRW
Barrow, Alaska
355
380
MLO
Mauna Loa, Hawaii
353
369
SMO
Tutuila, American Samoa
352
368
SPO
South Pole Antarctica
351
367

Discussion and Analysis Looking at the above chart it seems that within the 15 years from 1990 to 2014 there has been a big jump, but thinking about the last 40 years there has been a greater increase. As each generation of new industry products have come on the scene as well as more residential and commercial projects that have been generated, we tend to continue to add to the CO2 emissions problem. The auto industry is endeavoring on becoming more energy conscious by developing hydro vehicles. Like the auto industry it would be a good thing if more companies and families become more conscious of what is happening to our world. This can only happen through education and programs to stop global warming.

References
Career Education Corporation, (2015). Lab 3: Earth System Research Laboratory: Global
Monitoring Division. Retrieved June 7, 2015 from M.U.S.E. https://campus.ctuonline.edu/courses/SCI1203/p1/hub1/hub.html

EPA. (2015). Overview of Greenhouse Gases - Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Retrieved June 7, 2015 from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html

References: Career Education Corporation, (2015). Lab 3: Earth System Research Laboratory: Global Monitoring Division. Retrieved June 7, 2015 from M.U.S.E. https://campus.ctuonline.edu/courses/SCI1203/p1/hub1/hub.html EPA. (2015). Overview of Greenhouse Gases - Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Retrieved June 7, 2015 from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html