Discussion

A carbon footprint represents the whole amount of greenhouse gases

(GHG) produced. It is either directly and indirectly contribute to a person’s lifestyle and
activities. Research on carbon emissions has been concerned primarily with the mechanism
of carbon emissions, the relationship between carbon emissions and economic growth, and
between carbon emissions and energy consumption (Lim H. J., et al, 2009, Li F., et al,
2011). Carbon footprints are usually measured in equivalent tons of CO 2, during the period
of a year. It is related with an individual, an organization, a product or an event. The carbon
footprint plays an important role to understand the impact of a person’s behaviour on global
warming. By estimating personal carbon footprint, an individual can contribute to the initiative
to stop global warming. Carbon emissions can be categorised into two which are direct
carbon emissions and indirect carbon emissions. Direct carbon emissions come from
sources that are directly from the site that is producing a product. Indirect carbon emissions
are emissions from sources upstream or downstream from the process being studied. This
includes transportation of materials/fuels, wastes produced outside of the production facility
and product and waste transportation.

The total footprint for student 5 is 8,498 kgs of CO 2 per year, compared to an
average of 3,558 kgs for Malaysia, and 3,791 kg (= 8,358 lbs) worldwide. This student is
also predicted that footprint would be about the same as the average person in Malaysia and
the world. This was found to be a wrong prediction since carbon footprint of any person are
different with each other, depends on their behaviours, activity and lifestyle. Student 5
recorded its highest on food category. It is because this student is not a vegetarian and
consumed more animal products such as chicken, fish and egg. Student also did not involve
in recycling or composting the organic waste, thus methane being released by the
decomposing biodegradable waste in landfills.

Second highest category is home. This student’s home does not have any air
conditioner and heater for cold seasons. The only cooling method used is fans. However, the
rate of carbon being emitted is higher due to behaviours. Heating, cooling, purifying and
pressurizing the water by the consumer leads to additional energy use. Reducing the
amount of energy used in the pumping of water reduces our carbon emissions, which
contributes to greenhouse gases, and leads to climate change. Thus the more electricity
embedded in water, the higher the carbon impact. That is why the habit of running water
while brushing teeth, washing dish and excessive used of water will lead to a big number of
carbon footprint. Electricity is one of the common contribution to carbon emission.
 Next is purchases category. This student did not practice recycle for the waste and
packaging of the purchases. Glass, paper, tin/aluminium and plastic if not being properly
managed, will give a big contribution to carbon emission. Once plastic is used, it often gets
burned to make electricity, which is yet another source of greenhouse gases. The last one is
transportation category. Student 5 usually used bus for long trip and also car. According to
this country (Malaysia) second biggest contribution of greenhouse gases emissions is
transportation. However, CO2 emissions from transport vary significantly depending on the
transport mode.

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/09/735848489/plastic-has-a-big-carbon-footprint-but-that-
isnt-the-whole-story - accessed on 22/8/2020

Li F, Dong S, Li X, et al. (2011). Energy consumption- economic growth relationship

and carbon dioxide emission in China. Energy Policy, 39(2), 568-574

Lim H J, Yoo S H, Kwak S J. (2009). Industrial CO2 emission from energy use in
Korea˖a structural decomposition analysis. Energy Policy, 37(2), 686-698.

Objectives

1. To calculate the carbon footprint produced by certain individual.

2. To identify the category and its contribution to greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission.
3. To suggest any possible steps to be taken for reducing carbon emissions into the
environment.