What does it mean to cap greenhouse-gas emissions?

Answer 1

To cap means to stop, to put a cap on something. If an industry is producing greenhouse gas, then the government will legislate a cap, meaning it will only be allowed to produce this much greenhouse gas. "Capping greenhouse gas emissions" is the point at which greenhouse gas emissions stop. Each year the cap will be lowered so greenhouse gas emissions will start to decline.

Answer 2

Fossil fuels are naturally occurring deposits that formed through the transformation of peat through time, heat, and compression. Fossil fuel deposits can be mined or drilled, such as coal and oil. Coal and oil have been and are extensively used for fuel, heating, electricity, manufacturing, etc. In the past, the USA used coal so heavily that many towns were blanketed under a cloud of smoke that was riddled with carbon dioxide and other illness-creating chemicals. Many Asian countries still heavily use fossil fuels.

Emissions are any discharge of smoke, chemicals, and particles that are released during the use of fossil fuels. Coal, oil, diesel, and gas all burn efficiently and at low cost, but the process of heating creates "gas emissions". Even cars produce heat as part of the engine mechanism, which in turn changes the gas and oil in the vehicle into a gaseous by-product.

Scientists believe that the gas emissions produced by burning fossil fuels has had and continues to have long-term effects on the planet. The emissions settle in the higher stratosphere, where the particles block the sun, thus causing a "greenhouse effect". Even the oceans rely on the air and atmosphere to keep water levels consistent. Scientists believe that the greenhouse gas emissions are causing a higher and faster rate of melting of the ice shelf. Large ice flows are melting, which then raises the water level in the oceans and thus, can change air streams, ocean currents, and the weather produced. For example, scientists believe greenhouse gases can cause more hurricanes and severe weather.

The idea of "cutting greenhouse emissions" is two-fold. One, countries need to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and develop alternative energy sources. But, we've seen there are also problems with nuclear generated energy. Second, countries need to reduce the total daily emissions from all the ways that humans use and burn fossil fuels.

So, authorities suggest that the following ideas can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and / or the effects of using fossil fuels:

• Drive vehicles less
• Car-pool
• Use public transportation, especially in large cities where traffic may sit at idle at traffic lights, etc.
• Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not being used.
• Put lighting at businesses on timers that will turn off lights when not being used.
• Mow the grass after the hottest time of the day, since the heat of the sun traps emissions while cooler temperatures help diminish / dilute the emissions.
• Enact Laws and pursue large Fines to make manufacturers/factories stop air pollution and to develop alternatives to fossil fuels.
• To recycle waste as much as possible.
• To stop burning of waste by citizens or businesses. For example, even 20 years ago, many communities still permitted people to burn everyday refuse in a backyard barrel. Communities used to permit the burning of leaves in the Fall.
• To establish new plants and trees which consume carbon dioxide. Communities have plans that were not in place 20-30-40 years ago to re-plant, reclaim, and revitalize places for "nature".
• The Federal Government enacted stricter laws for coal mining companies and factories that burn coal and coke (a by-product of burning coal).

Every time you see smoke being emitted into the community, you should ask yourself what measures are used or could be used to reduce/cut greenhouse emissions. As long as humans need electricity, heating, and transportation, we will face issues of the damages caused by burning fossil fuels.