Reducing CO2: Conversion Factors

There is a simple way of reducing CO2 emissions year on year without having to put any effort in at all. It requires no changing of habits, reduction in energy use or in fact any changes at all. Just by continuing to use the same amount of energy each year a reduction in carbon production can be met. This is possible due the way carbon emissions are calculated.

There are two ways. Firstly greenhouse gases can be measured by recording emissions at the source of production by continuous emissions monitoring. The second method is by estimating the amount of gases emitted using the amount of electricity consumed and applying a relevant conversion factor. This second approach is the more common and easiest to apply for individuals and organisations.

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Component and Service Scales

Systems change over time and space, it is unavoidable. To manage resilience, understanding that systems change across and influence multiple scales is needed. Scales above the focal system are also significant to maintaining resilience. Continue reading “Component and Service Scales”

Permafrost – Inuvik, Canada

Permafrost is a thickness soil or bedrock beneath the surface that has been permanently frozen for at least 2 years, with mean ground temperatures less than 0ᵒC. (Holden, 2008; Davis, 2001). Continuous and Discontinuous are the two main types. Washburn (1979) indicates that up to 26% of the Earth is affected by permafrost. Most of this exists where annual average temperatures are less than 0ᵒC and as such is highly susceptible to changes in surface climate conditions (IPCC, 2007). Continue reading “Permafrost – Inuvik, Canada”

Introduction

Interaction between humans and their environment is unavoidable. Every decision and action taken has an environmental consequence. Outcomes range in spatial and temporal significance and can be beyond our immediate environment.

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