Carbon mitigation is the greatest challenge to environmentalists, governments, and industries. Processes of reducing carbon content in the environment are the principal concerns of government bodies, and pollution control bodies. Carbon emissions amounting to approximately 1,000 billion tons from burning fossil fuels need to be captured from the atmosphere and redirected.
As per records of Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, carbon dioxide content is approximately 85% of all greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere. Combustion of fossil fuel accounts for nearly 94% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Of all natural resources consumed in United States, petroleum consumption accounts for almost 43% of carbon emissions, followed by coal which constitutes 36% and natural gas contributing 21%. Electrical power sector is responsible for releasing nearly 40% of carbon emissions. Based on end-use, residential and commercial sector accounts for 38% of carbon emissions, followed by 29% from the industrial sector, and 32% from transport sector.
According to 2002 data, approximately 86% of primary energy generated in United States was carbon based, while 14% was from renewable and nuclear sources. As per estimates of International Energy Agency (IEA), the percentage of carbon based power supposedly will increase to 89% by 2030 unless substituted by nuclear based or alternative energy sources.
Hence carbon dioxide, emitted predominantly from the combustion of fossil fuels, is the dominant component of climactic change. Mitigation of CO2 emissions is the most important step towards regulating carbon content in the environment. Carbon mitigation initiative undertaken by Princeton University is an endeavor towards this end.
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