Understanding climate change can be complex, but reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial. In a world filled with messages about sustainability, it’s important to discern between genuine efforts to make a difference and mere greenwashing.
Every human activity has an environmental impact, from resource consumption to waste generation, and the release of greenhouse gases. While the concept of a carbon footprint was initially introduced by the oil and gas industry, it has become a valuable metric for measuring environmental impact.
Carbon dioxide is a significant contributor to climate change, with its release into the atmosphere increasing dramatically over the years. However, other greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a role in global warming.
Global Warming Potential
Greenhouse gases vary in their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, and scientists use carbon dioxide as a standard for determining their global warming potential (GWP).
CO2-eq: A Unit of Measurement
By converting emissions into CO2-eqs, researchers can accurately assess the impact of all greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental factors, providing a standard unit of measurement for comparisons.
Informed Choices
Understanding CO2-eq allows for informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of various activities, from assessing the climate impact of commuting to comparing the sustainability of different products.
While terms like “carbon emissions,” “greenhouse gas emissions,” and “emissions” are commonly used, accurately assessing climate impact requires understanding and utilizing CO2-eq as a unit of measurement.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 29, 2021 and updated in January 2024.
