Discussion Topic
Chemical energy sources are often portable
and provide large amounts of energy. Fossil
fuels are one kind of chemical energy source.
Most of the energy we use in the United
States is generated by the combustion of
fossil fuels. However, fossil fuel combustion
adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere,
mostly CO2. One measure of the total
amount of greenhouse gases that are
emitted into the atmosphere each year is
called a carbon footprint. Read this article to
compare the carbon footprint of an average
person in the United States to an average
person around the world.
Knowing that greenhouse gases are
contributing to climate change, how can we
reduce our carbon footprint, particularly in
the United States? Could hydrogen fuel
replace fossil fuels in the future? Why or why
not? Should the size of a person's carbon
footprint be limited by law? Why or why not?