Carbon Footprint (11/27 - 12/1)



Summary:

A carbon footprint is important so that we know the total greenhouse gas emissions of an item so that we can work on reducing that amount. Most of the greenhouse gases from transportation are CO2 emissions. The amount of CO2 emissions from transportation vary based on the mode of transportation and the distance that was traveled. 

 This week, I learned how to calculate the carbon footprint of a product by figuring out the manufactured location, the store where the materials were bought, and the mileage in between. We used this information to calculate our carbon footprint caused by the travel of our materials. We assumed that the objects that traveled within the same continent traveled by train, if they are on different continents, they traveled by airplane, if they are within the same country, they travel by truck, and travel between the retailer and the school will be by car.

Once we figured out the mileage between the two destinations, we multiplied by a number depending on what transportation was used. If the materials were traveling by car, we multiplied 0.41 to the number of miles. For a truck, we multiplied the mileage by 0.17, and for an airplane, we multiplied the distance (in miles) by 0.8. The number we were multiplying by depended on the amount of CO2 emissions that it produced.

 Once we figured out the mileage and CO2 emissions, we added them up so that we could determine the total mileage and emissions to create our product. To figure out the emissions to create one product, simply divide by the number of products you can make with that specific amount of materials.

SP2: Developing and Using Models

This week, we constructed and created a map to show the distance that each of our materials traveled and the amount of CO2 emissions that were produced. This helped us visualize the "story" of our product and all of the transportation and emissions that were caused and created. This also helped us create an explanation of how to create and calculate a carbon footprint. With this visual map, we could understand more about the emissions created by transportation of various items. We also had to refine our map based on exactly where we bought our products and where they were manufactured.

XCC: Systems and System Models

This week, I noticed the system of our materials and how the transportation and travel distance for an item can affect the amount of CO2 emissions produced. The various parts of this system are the mileage, mode of transportation, the manufactured and store location, and more. This system helps us understand what the carbon footprint of a product is and how that affects the environment. This is an advantage so that we can help decrease the carbon emissions so that we can have a lesser impact on the environment.

Multiplier

This week, I was a creator. When working on our Carbon Footprint map, I said: "We can do it." When my partner was asking a question about the map and how we will do it, I made sure they understood what I was saying and I gave them a clear response to their question. I contributed all of what I knew about the transportation of the materials in our product to help us complete the map to our best effort. I also did my best effort and communicated my findings clearly and give my best response to the question at hand.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Structure of the Periodic Table - 9/25-9/29

Image
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/theperiodictable-110223090122-phpapp01/95/the-periodic-table-7-728.jpg?cb=1298451775 Summary: This week, we have been learning about how the periodic table is arranged and the different patterns that are in the rows  and columns. In the periodic table, the rows are called periods. Along the rows, the elements are organized by atomic number (the number of protons.) The rows also have the same energy level or the number of electrons. For example, in the first row, all of the elements' atoms have one energy level, and so on.The atomic mass is the number of neutrons plus the number of protons. The atomic mass can be a decimal, and it is ordered increasingly. The columns in the periodic table are called groups or families. Each family has a name. For example, group one is composed of alkali metals which is the family with Lithium, Sodium, and more. Each group also has the same number of outer, or valence electrons. The elements in group one ...
Read more

Musical Instruments and Sound- Weekly Blog (3/11-3/15)

Image
Sound Energy - Musical Instruments by SolPass Summary We understand how sound is produced, and how sound waves can travel through different mediums, but how do musical instruments produce sound? There are hundreds of instruments in the world, producing various pitches, tones, and chords. There are three main types of instruments: wind, percussion, and string. The sound is produced differently based on the type of instrument. The first type of instrument is a string instrument. In a string instrument, the sound is created from the vibration of strings. For example, when you play guitar, you pull on the strings. As the strings vibrate, the air molecules start vibrating as well, producing sound. The next type of instruments are wind and brass instruments and are made when we blow sound into them. The shape and position of the instrument affect the overall tone and pitch. The most common kind of wind instrument is a reed instrument. Blowing on the reed causes it to vib...
Read more

Energy Transformations - Weekly Blog (1/28-2/1)

Image
Types of Energy  by  Solar Schools Summary: You've probably heard the quote by Albert Einstein, "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another." But what are the forms of energy? There are six general energy forms: chemical, mechanical, thermal, light, electrical, and nuclear. Any form of energy can be converted into another form. There are many examples of energy transformations that happen in our everyday lives. The first energy form is chemical energy. Chemical energy is a form of potential energy and is stored in chemical substances. An example of chemical energy is gasoline that is used to power a car. The next form of energy is mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is energy released by a moving object. For example, mechanical energy is the energy that causes a soccer ball to move when kicked. Another form of energy is thermal energy and is associated with the motion of molecules. This means that it is caused by f...
Read more