Sustainability Week 2012-enabling Low Carbon Economics

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature. It is caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The theory of global warming suggests that the Earth is gradually getting hotter and hotter over time. This increase in temperature has various negative impacts on the environment, including rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events.

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of dead plants and small creatures that have been buried and subjected to high pressure and heat over millions of years. This process transforms the organic matter into coal, oil, and natural gas. Geothermal energy is derived from the heat generated by the Earth's core, while nuclear energy is produced through the process of nuclear reactions. Therefore, the correct answer is fossil fuel.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, wave, and tidal power, are considered renewable because they are naturally replenished and can be used indefinitely without depleting their resources. These sources of power do not rely on finite fossil fuels and do not produce harmful emissions, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for generating electricity.

Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF where households and businesses are encouraged to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour. This event aims to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. The correct answer is Earth Hour because it aligns with the description provided in the question, which mentions the event's purpose of raising awareness about climate change and the action of turning off lights and electrical appliances for one hour.

Carbon Dioxide is the main greenhouse gas by volume because it is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere. It is released through natural processes such as respiration and volcanic activity, as well as human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Carbon Dioxide is known to contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. Methane and CFC's are also greenhouse gases, but they are present in lower volumes compared to Carbon Dioxide.

The decomposition of organic waste produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Methane is released when organic matter, such as food waste or plant material, breaks down in an oxygen-deprived environment, such as a landfill. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. It is important to properly manage organic waste to minimize methane emissions and mitigate its impact on the environment.

The given answer of 0.12 tons/man/month suggests that AFC Buildings Business aims to reduce carbon emissions to this specific target. This indicates that the company is focused on minimizing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment per person per month. By setting this target, AFC Buildings Business is likely prioritizing environmental sustainability and taking measures to decrease their carbon footprint.

The correct answer is Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement signed by 37 industrialized countries and the European community. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and combat climate change. The protocol sets binding targets for these countries to reduce their GHG emissions below their levels in 1990. It also establishes mechanisms for countries to trade emissions credits and invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005.

Joseph Fourier is the correct answer because he was the first to propose the concept of the greenhouse effect in the early 19th century. Fourier suggested that the Earth's atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, trapping heat from the sun and causing the planet to warm. His work laid the foundation for our understanding of climate change and the role of greenhouse gases in the Earth's temperature regulation.

When sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed and some is reflected back into the atmosphere. The part of sunlight that contributes to global warming when reflected from Earth is the infra red rays. These rays have longer wavelengths and are able to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, where they are trapped by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This trapping of infra red rays leads to an increase in the Earth's temperature, causing global warming.