Geology-Carbon Footprint Calculation

Carbon Footprint Calculation

Assignment #1

A person’s carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by an individual over a given period of time. The carbon footprint calculation is important because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. It is a proxy measure of how much energy a person uses, whether that energy is in the form of combustion to power your car, electricity to power your appliances, or the energy required to produce and transport the food you eat. Watch the following video to learn more about the carbon footprint and the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the average American household. Carbon Footprint Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRduc0pzQ_4

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint Calculating your carbon footprint is a complicated process that involves accounting for every kilowatt hour of energy you consume. Fortunately, there are less accurate but quicker carbon calculators we can use to get a rough estimate of our energy consumption. Use the Nature Conservancy calculator below to estimate the number of tons of carbon dioxide you are responsible for adding to the Earth’s atmosphere each year. Be sure to include estimates for each of the major categories of energy consumption by selecting and filling out the information in each of the tabs (Home Energy, Driving & Flying, Food & Diet, Recycling & Waste). Note – the website urges you to donate to the Nature Conservancy to offset your carbon footprint, but you are under no obligation to donate any money and can use the carbon calculator free of charge. Carbon Footprint Calculator https://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/?redirect=https-301 This is a short essay assignment. All short essays submitted for this course should be written in complete sentences and full paragraphs, each with a coherent beginning, middle, and end. A rule of thumb for short essay lengths is 2-3 full sentences per question. After watching the video and calculating your carbon footprint, write a short 2 to 3 paragraph short essay answering the following questions: What is your carbon footprint? What steps could you take to reduce your carbon footprint? Do you think you will try to take these steps anytime in the near future?

Assignment #2

Mid-latitude Cyclones are large weather systems that form around low pressure centers in the Midcontinent of the United States. These cyclones form from the interaction of cold northern and warm southern air masses. Read the following Mid-Latitude Cyclones Lab Supplement to learn more about mid-latitude cyclones, frontal systems, and how cyclones and fronts are displayed on weather maps. Mid-latitude Cyclones Lab Supplement Weather Maps The image below is a hypothetical weather map located in the Midcontinent of the United States. The map shows isobars and the locations (not labeled) of a cold front, a warm front, and their associated cold and warm air masses. The cross-sectional diagram below the weather map shows the shape of these fronts and air masses along a line running through the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F depicted on the map. Use the weather map and cross-section to answer the following questions. This is a critical thinking exercise so you will have to apply your knowledge of mid-latitude cyclones to determine the correct answers.

Add these answers to the attached answer worksheet and submit the worksheet for a grade using the Assignments Tool in ACE. 1. At which location on the map and cross-section (A, B, C, D, E, or F) is the cold front? 2. At which location on the map and cross-section (A, B, C, D, E, or F) is the warm front? 3. At which location on the map and cross-section (A-C, C-E, or E-F) is the cold air mass? 4. At which location on the map and cross-section (A-C, C-E, or E-F) is the warm air mass? 5. In which direction (North to South, South to North, West to East, East to West) is the storm moving? 6. What is the most likely wind direction (North, South, East, West) at Point D? 7. At Point D, is the pressure rising or falling? 8. Why is the pressure rising or falling at Point D? Base your answer on your answer to Question 7. 9. Is precipitation more likely at Point D or Point C? 10. Why is precipitation more likely at this point? Base your answer on your answer to Question 9. 11. At Point C, what general temperature change will take place with the passing of the cold front (will the temperature increase or decrease)? 12. Why will the temperature increase or decrease? Base your answer on your answer to Question 11. 13. What is the most likely wind direction (North, South, East, West) at Point B? 14. At Point B, is the pressure rising or falling? 15. Why is the pressure rising or falling at Point B? Base your answer on your answer to Question 14.