Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 09/02/2022 11:39:17

Title: Are 'carbon emissions' different to 'CO2 emissions'?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 09/02/2022 11:39:17
David has been pondering this in his mind for a while now.

"I am confused by the expression “carbon emissions” which I keep hearing. Despite hearing one of the 5 Live presenters describe carbon as a gas, I always thought that carbon was a solid. I can’t believe that “carbon emissions” is used as an abbreviation for carbon dioxide emissions because “CO2 emissions” is a much more accurate and shorter way of expressing it and is widely understood."

Discuss your thoughts in the comments below...
Title: Re: Are 'carbon emissions' different to 'CO2 emissions'?
Post by: chiralSPO on 09/02/2022 13:25:37
In general, "carbon emissions" is shorthand for carbon dioxide, but it also covers methane (CH4) Which is a potent greenhouse gas.

Title: Re: Are 'carbon emissions' different to 'CO2 emissions'?
Post by: hamdani yusuf on 10/02/2022 04:37:27
Quote from: Lewis Thomson on 09/02/2022 11:39:17
one of the 5 Live presenters describe carbon as a gas
I made similar mistake in kindergarten.

Quote from: Lewis Thomson on 09/02/2022 11:39:17
I can’t believe that “carbon emissions” is used as an abbreviation for carbon dioxide emissions because “CO2 emissions” is a much more accurate and shorter way of expressing it and is widely understood.
I agree that we should try to reduce ambiguity in communicating information as far as possible. A lot of accidents and undesired effects are caused by miscommunication.
Title: Re: Are 'carbon emissions' different to 'CO2 emissions'?
Post by: hamdani yusuf on 10/02/2022 04:38:04
Quote from: chiralSPO on 09/02/2022 13:25:37
In general, "carbon emissions" is shorthand for carbon dioxide, but it also covers methane (CH4) Which is a potent greenhouse gas.


Does it also cover carbon monoxide?
Title: Re: Are 'carbon emissions' different to 'CO2 emissions'?
Post by: chiralSPO on 10/02/2022 12:38:37
Yes, I would expect CO to count as carbon emissions as well, though hopefully CO emissions are extremely small compared to CO2 emissions (it is very toxic).

It's worth pointing out that CO is converted to CO2 on a timescale of weeks to months, so in the long run, climate-wise, it's essentially the same. In contrast, CH4 will last nearly 10 years in the atmosphere (not terribly long on geological time, of course, but long enough that methane emissions anywhere will affect the planet everywhere).