Carbon dioxide emissions deforestation

What has changed in the last few hundred years is the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions (5). For example, in 1997, the United States emitted about one-fifth of total global greenhouse gases. 

With less than 5 percent of the worlds population, the United States ranks first in carbon dioxide emissions and is responsible for about 25 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Industrial nations worldwide are responsible for about 58 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels. Developing nations account for the remaining 42 percent, but their sources of carbon dioxide are split between fossil fuels (19 percent) and deforestation (23 percent). 

The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which is responsible for 49% of the effect. The emissions result chiefly of burning of fossil fuels in the electricity generation, transports and industry (5 Gton of C per year), and deforestation (0.5 to 2 Gton of C per year) [1]. Figure 1 shows the percentage contribution to carbon dioxide emissions from human activities between 1980-85 [4]. 

While production of most bioplastics results in reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional alternatives, there are some real concerns that the creation of a global bioeconomy could contribute to an accelerated rate of deforestation if not managed effectively. There are associated concerns over the impact on water supply and soil erosion and bioplastics represent a 42% reduction in carbon footprint. On the other hand, bioplastic can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. 

Baccini A, Goetz SJ, Walker WS, et al. Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from tropical deforestation improved by carbon-density maps. Nat dim Change. 2012 2 182-185. Koh LP, Wilcove DS. Is oil palm agriculture really destroying tropical biodiversity ... 

FIGURE 22.5 Global C02 emissions from fossil fuel and deforestation. Data from Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory http //cdiac.esd.oml.gov/trends/emis/ tre-glob.htm. 

The most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which composes approximately 0.04% of our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide strongly absorbs IR light at 10 (pim), the peak wavelength of the Earth s IR emission. The combustion of fossil fuels on a global scale, in combination with deforestation, has increased the level of CO2 in the Earth s atmosphere (Figure 9-13) by about 30% over the last... 

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