Why minimizing your carbon impact is counterproductive?

Addressing a carbon footprint assessment could be puzzeling as the methodology often meet incomprehension. Indeed, the terms had gained traction in the mediatic sphere but not always used adversely. It was popularized in the 2000s mainly by the petroleum industry in order to gain in popularity facing an undeniable responsibility on the global warming crisis. The communication goal was to minimalize their responsibility and turn it toward the customers. In this article we will go back on the concept of carbon footprint itself, we will discover what it includes and the reason behind, what are the risk of misinterpretation of the term and what are the opportunity when addressed properly.

Why is energy a key factor of climate change?

From photosynthesis to human digestion, from the combustion engine to the electric battery, energy is a fundamental conce

pt that underpins almost every aspect of our daily lives. However, it is difficult to define energy simply, as the topic and its applications are vast and complex.

In this effort of synthesis an

d popularization, we will explore what energy is, both in its definition and in its magnitudes. Then, we will examine its societal repercussions and, finally, explain the central role of energy in the climate crisis.

The Central Role of Energy in the Climate Crisis

As mentioned in aprevious artcile ( Primary energy and energy density) , 81% of the primary energy consumed worldwide comes from fossil fuels. If we now look at the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, we find that 75% come from energy production and use.

Societal Transformations Due to Energy

efore addressing the notion of the energy transition, let’s go back to the Industrial Revolution. Prior to this revolution, all primary energies used were renewable. Agriculture was done by manual labor or animal traction, mills powered by wind or water were used for forges and refining foodstuffs, particularly grains, and transportation was powered by animal traction or sailboats. Naturally, everything took more time and effort. At the time, it was difficult to generate mechanical energy from heat.

Primary Energy and Energy Density

Primary energy refers to the energy available as it exists in natural resources within the environment. These are unprocessed and unexploited energy products. Globally, the profile of primary energy consumption and origin is as follows:

What is Energy?

There are many definitions of energy, from its Greek root « force in motion » to its physical definition: « the property of a material system capable of doing work. » It is characterized as a physical quantity with the ability to modify the environment. It takes various forms: radiation, chemical energy, nuclear, thermal, or mechanical energy. Energy can modify temperature, speed, shape, chemical composition, atomic composition, or even position in a field, whether magnetic, gravitational, or electric. Not only do we use it daily, but it is also an integral part of our bodies, which can be likened to a machine converting nutrients (from the food we eat) into heat and motion.