Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Storage

What is the largest active store of carbon on Earth?

Which process contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions in the production of cement?

What method do rich countries primarily focus on to reduce their carbon footprint?

Which of the following is NOT a key source of human carbon dioxide emissions?

Approximately how much carbon is estimated to be stored in organic matter in soils worldwide?

Which industrial processes are most associated with CO2 emissions?

What is a common concern for poor countries regarding climate change?

What source produces carbon dioxide during the extraction of oil?

Which of the following is a characteristic of carbon dioxide emissions from transportation?

What is the estimated amount of carbon currently in the atmosphere?

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions arise from burning fossil fuels and cement manufacturing.
Burning solid, liquid, and gas fuels, along with gas flaring during oil extraction contribute to emissions.

Human Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

Primarily due to burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and industrial processes.
Key sources include:
- Electricity generation from fossil fuels.
- Transportation powered by gasoline and diesel.
- Industrial processes, especially cement and steel production.
- Residential heating using natural gas and heating oil.

Carbon Storage in Soils

Approximately 1,500 billion tonnes of carbon reside in soil organic matter globally.
This makes soils the second largest active carbon store, following the oceans (40,000 billion tonnes).
Soils hold more carbon than the atmosphere (760 billion tonnes) and vegetation (560 billion tonnes) combined.
Global soil stores an estimated 2,700 gigatons (Gt) of carbon, with 1,550 Gt being organic and 950 Gt being inorganic.

Different Concerns Between Rich and Poor Countries

Rich Countries

Reducing Carbon Footprint: Prioritize cutting emissions through green technologies and policies like carbon taxes.
Climate Change Mitigation: Invest in renewable energy and lead global climate agreements.
Innovation: Emphasize clean technology such as electric vehicles and solar power.
Public and Corporate Pressure: Increasing demand for sustainable practices.

This quiz explores the sources and impacts of carbon dioxide emissions, focusing on human activities such as energy production and transportation. It also examines the role of soils as significant carbon stores in the global carbon cycle, highlighting their importance in climate change mitigation.