| Using A Carbon Footprint Calculator To Curb Global Warming |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Thursday, 28 May 2009 | |
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Just about every facility emits some type of greenhouse gas. In an effort to encourage businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, there is an important tool called a carbon footprint calculator to assist in identifying ways to reduce carbon emissions. By using a calculator, entities can more easily recognize their greenhouse gas emissions, implement measures to reduce them and set benchmarks to gauge their progress.
Just about every facility emits some type of greenhouse gas. In an effort to encourage businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, there is an important tool called a carbon footprint calculator to assist in identifying ways to reduce carbon emissions. By using a calculator, entities can more easily recognize their greenhouse gas emissions, implement measures to reduce them and set benchmarks to gauge their progress. Standards for calculating, reporting and verifying greenhouse gas emissions are handled by the Climate Registry -- a nonprofit agency and are also covered under the US Clean Air Act. Membership in the registry is voluntary, but the majority of states, territories, provinces and sovereign nations within North America are taking part in the effort to reduce carbon emissions. The carbon footprint calculator is a valuable tool in which facilities can enter data about their daily operations in areas that contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions. Energy use, waste generation, purchased materials and transportation are among the main areas that play a major role in the emitting of harmful gases into the environment. Harmful gases are thought to remain in our atmosphere for hundreds of years following their emission. As the future health of our planet depends on reduction, it is imperative that businesses measure their carbon footprint accordingly. Research has shown that certain gases deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. By using a carbon footprint calculator, businesses will be able to measure how much of the environmentally harmful gases they use. These substances include carbon dioxide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). According to scientists, these gases contribute to the earths warming, which could lead to extreme heat waves, rising sea levels and severe harm to humans, animals, plant life and marine life, if no action is taken to stop the damaging effects. Following EPA requirements, an organization can identify the extent of their greenhouse gas emissions, can create a management plan, can set goals and report their findings through the use of a carbon footprint calculator. The calculator should be of particular benefit to companies that have multiple locations. A carbon footprint calculator uses data to calculate emission amounts from all direct and indirect sources. Direct emissions are those from equipment or other sources owned or operated by a company, such as commercial refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Indirect emissions are used by a company during daily operations, but are supplied by another source, such as the use of electricity or heat. The task of monitoring, tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions is a somewhat cumbersome and tedious one. Companies are required to input complex data into a carbon footprint calculator so many companies who use HVAC systems in stores, warehouses, offices or hospitals are turning to computerized refrigerant management programs to help them achieve the task. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has a lot of data on the carbon footprint calculatorand how the refrigerant-tracker will benefit you. |
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