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Carbon Neutral
How do you define Carbon Neutral
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I don't know that there is a formal definition but a carbon neutral fuel process is effectively one which results in no net release of carbon compounds into the biosphere.
Imagine a log fire - trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and the burning of the wood results in the same amount of carbon being released back - you can quibble about the efficiency and ash etc. but that's the premise.
Now coal of course originally absorbed carbon in the same way as wood but the carbon was burried deep underground so as to remove it from the biosphere. Burning that reintroduces that carbon back into the atmosphere so although it could be considered carbon neutral long term it's not what we typically consider as carbon neutral.
Nuclear, hydroelectric, solar power etc. are truely carbon neutral because no carbon is burnt.
Imagine a log fire - trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and the burning of the wood results in the same amount of carbon being released back - you can quibble about the efficiency and ash etc. but that's the premise.
Now coal of course originally absorbed carbon in the same way as wood but the carbon was burried deep underground so as to remove it from the biosphere. Burning that reintroduces that carbon back into the atmosphere so although it could be considered carbon neutral long term it's not what we typically consider as carbon neutral.
Nuclear, hydroelectric, solar power etc. are truely carbon neutral because no carbon is burnt.
If you negate the carbon emissions you make by using your heating, car etc by say, planting oxygen producing trees, or using renewable energy like solar that has no impact on the environment, you head towards being carbon neutral - ie you have no adverse net effects.
There was a calculator on line that would give you an indication...
There was a calculator on line that would give you an indication...
Well to be honest whickerman I tend to think that that's pretty much hogwash - with some exceptions.
If you plant trees they turn carbon dioxide into their mass but you have to consider what subsequently happens to them.
Most of these schemes seem to involve planting broadleaf native varieties in this country. The chances of these trees being converted eventually into coal or any other variety is pretty much zero.
When they come down they'll all be burnt or harvested for wood which will evenually be burnt.
In the meantime they'll produce leaves and litter which will rot and produce other greenhouse gasses.
If you want to offset your carbon contribute to schemes which provide solar energy in the developing world. These countries are developing fast and are plugging into coal fired powerstations
If you plant trees they turn carbon dioxide into their mass but you have to consider what subsequently happens to them.
Most of these schemes seem to involve planting broadleaf native varieties in this country. The chances of these trees being converted eventually into coal or any other variety is pretty much zero.
When they come down they'll all be burnt or harvested for wood which will evenually be burnt.
In the meantime they'll produce leaves and litter which will rot and produce other greenhouse gasses.
If you want to offset your carbon contribute to schemes which provide solar energy in the developing world. These countries are developing fast and are plugging into coal fired powerstations
Mother nature takes care of it best.
As a tree or plant grown in the wild without human intervention is pretty much Carbon Neutral.
Humans (or other animals) can never be carbon neutral as we do not replace whatever we take.
Sorry Whickerman but you are wrong! You cannot negate anything that we as humans do. And using Solar Panels is a myth, what about the manufacture of them, they do not grow on trees. Same goes for wind turbine power, we have factories in Southern England that make them, and I have a rough idea of how much time materials and energy that has to go into the manufacture of one of those great monstrosities.
Plant as many trees as you like (and you should) but we can never get anywhere near to be Carbon Neutral, coz there are just too damn many of us screwing up the Planet.
As a tree or plant grown in the wild without human intervention is pretty much Carbon Neutral.
Humans (or other animals) can never be carbon neutral as we do not replace whatever we take.
Sorry Whickerman but you are wrong! You cannot negate anything that we as humans do. And using Solar Panels is a myth, what about the manufacture of them, they do not grow on trees. Same goes for wind turbine power, we have factories in Southern England that make them, and I have a rough idea of how much time materials and energy that has to go into the manufacture of one of those great monstrosities.
Plant as many trees as you like (and you should) but we can never get anywhere near to be Carbon Neutral, coz there are just too damn many of us screwing up the Planet.
Le5bo' you don't sound as if you know what you're talking about.
Sounds to be as if you're working on vague assumptions.
Start here:
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_solar_new .html
A SOLAR POWER MYTH
We've often heard the myth that "it takes more electricity to manufacture a solar panel than it will ever put out." This is simply not true...this myth may have started during the Ronald Reagan era. This is of course a very difficult statistic to calculate, but according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, a study has been done to answer the question. The study found that single-crystal panels reach the energy payback point in 5-10 years, polycrystalline panels in 3-5 years, and amorphous silicon panels in 0.5-2 years
Sounds to be as if you're working on vague assumptions.
Start here:
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_solar_new .html
A SOLAR POWER MYTH
We've often heard the myth that "it takes more electricity to manufacture a solar panel than it will ever put out." This is simply not true...this myth may have started during the Ronald Reagan era. This is of course a very difficult statistic to calculate, but according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, a study has been done to answer the question. The study found that single-crystal panels reach the energy payback point in 5-10 years, polycrystalline panels in 3-5 years, and amorphous silicon panels in 0.5-2 years
It would seem that some believe that human beings are not part of the natural order. That somehow we are alien to this planet. That all we are is a destructive force. This is not true. We are, in fact, part of the natural order. We belong here and the debris left in our wake is also part of the natural order of things. I am really getting tired of the idea that I am not natural. Too politically correct for me.
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