Both Wikipedia and carbonfootprint.com simplify the problem because CO2 
is not the only contributor to atmospheric carbon nor is its effect the 
same. For example, when you burn 1 kg of natural gas, yes, you produce 
2.74 kg of CO2, but what has gone on before the NG reaches you? This can 
add up to more than double that figure of equivalent CO2 (see 
http://www.cypenv.org/worldenv/files/methane.htm). In fact NG, depending 
on how it reaches you and from where, may be the most 
"carbon-footprint-increasing" fuel there is. This is blithely ignored by 
most footprint calculations that really assume that the fuel reaching 
you, or your power station etc., gets there by magic, not producing any 
atmospheric carbon en route. Of course, it is also hidden from the 
public by the NG producers, who claim it is the cleanest fuel. It ain't!

I'm currently writing a book with a chapter on the holistic effects of 
fuels.

Brian

John Burke wrote:
> Does anyone have an exact definition of the term "carbon footprint"
> 
> It is in general usage in Europe to describe environmental impact, but I
> would like to know if this describes the lifecycle impact of a
> material/assembly on the environment and if so how is it measured  i.e. in
> unit measures of non renewable resource etc.
> 
> Anwers appreciated.
> 
> (To be honest if someone asked me the definition without mentioning the
> connection with the environment, I would have said it probably described
> ground zero when the US caught up with Osama bin Laden)
> 
>  
>  
> John Burke
>  
> 
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