Pollution Action Plan

For this Action Project we studied pollution, Pollution can be emissions released into the atmosphere such as, volcano eruptions, burning of fossil fuels, breathing, and livestock that we consume. Using  Foot Print calculator  I calculated the amount of carbon emissions I used on this website and it showed me how many planets it would take if everyone on Earth were to live like me, I got 4.8 planets which is a lot! We then had to pick scenarios that would lower these numbers. The most accomplishing thing from this project was being able to write a well rounded essay. It was also inserting learning about what I produce, and how much of it. Also how I could reduce it. The website also let us explore scenarios on how we could reduce our carbon emissions, this could  also help our planet, and our health in a small but big way. The hardest part of this project was incorporating the numbers into my project because, I had to determine how much carbon I was releasing, luckily I had a greenhouse gas calculator to help determine the equivalences my Co2 emissions equaled to. Although I had some difficulties I still managed to make a great project. Down below is my essay on how I personally can reduce my own pollution's!
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Pollution is contamination of land, air, or water.Pollution is caused by the discharge of harmful or toxic substances which can cause harm to animals, and humans. Pollution can be caused by releasing fossil fuels, breathing, volcano eruptions,and gas being given off from livestock. The majority of pollution is man-made,  therefore we need to find a way to stop it, in order to live longer and healthier!

One of the biggest fossil fuels being burned is carbon dioxide (CO2) .It is one pollutant causing our Earth to become warmer.CO2  is the main source of where our pollution is coming from.My own calculations will show the impact. I used the Footprint calculator to determine how many planets it would take to support everyone, if everyone lived like I do. I release about 22.6  tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Almost half of my Carbon emission are  due to services, while the other half is due to; food, shelter, goods and mobility. My lifestyle is being supported by 21.2 acres of the Earth's’ productive areas, such as, energy land, cropland, grazing land, forest land, built up land, and fishing grounds.  

These are big numbers, therefore I will put it them in perspective. Annually my lifestyle produces the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as 4.7 passenger cars. My carbon dioxide emissions are equivalent to the CO2 produced by 2,534 gallons of gasoline. This is a lot of gas being consumed for one person, considering my mom only fills her gas tank up every two weeks.

In order to reduce my use of carbon, I pledge to:

- Take a local vacation instead of flying this year: The combustion of fossil fuels creates CO2, which plays a large role in global warming. By not taking a plane I can reduce the number of planets required from If I chose to take a local vacation this year I would save 0.5 tons of carbon from being burned (22.6-22.1). By taking this action, it reduces the number of planets by 0.1 (4.8 to 4.7).  

- Reduce the amount of animal products I consume, by half: I enjoy eating chicken, dairy products, and beef. The livestock releases too many greenhouse gasses, such as methane into the atmosphere. If I cut down on these products, I would lessen my carbon emissions. If I cut down on the amount of lean meat I eat, this will reduce the the amount by 0.4 tons. Taking this action, would also reduce the number of planets from 4.8 to 4.6!

-Use more public transportation: Even though I already use public transportation, if I pledged to use public transportation more often then, I would reduce 0.2  tons of carbon (22.4 instead of 22.6) This would also reduce the number of planets I used by 0.1 (4.8 to 4.7)

Although taking these actions won't necessarily eliminate all the carbon emissions, it still helps the environment in a small way. Another way I could help reduce carbon emissions is investing in an emission offset project that will capture and store greenhouse gasses, this will prevent them from releasing into the atmosphere.One way I could help is by planting trees , trees help capture carbon during photosynthesis. This can convert Co2 into sugar and oxygen. I would have to plant 579 trees these trees would be growing for ten years! Scientists have found that 1 tree can remove 0.039 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Below I have made a formula of what it takes for 579 trees to capture 22.6 tons of carbon.

22.6 tons (1 tree/0.039 metric tons)= 579.48 trees.

Even without investing in the emissions reduction project I can still manage to reduce my carbon emissions from 22.6 tons to, 21.5 tons! (footprint calculator). That is 1.1 tons less carbon in the atmosphere! If everyone were to live like me we would only need 4.4plantes (0.4 less). this is more than half I needed previously. Along with the emission reduction project I am sure that with planting 579 trees it will be sure to reduce the number of carbon in the atmosphere!  

This is an image of one of my action plans I chose to take!
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"Footprint Calculator." Footprint Calculator. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014

"Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.