Biology Is Life !

Carbon dioxide is always associated with global warming. Have your parents ever told you to keep the windows shut when the A/C is blasting during the summer? How about yell at you to turn the lights off when you’re not in the room? Fossil fuels burned to generate light and electricity really takes a hit on Mother Earth.

Did your science teacher ever tell you to try to lower your carbon footprint? Your carbon footprint is the measured amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by you as an individual. With the knowledge of your carbon footprint, you can take a stand and help your planet.

Fortunately, there’s a new idea buzzing around scientists’ minds: Ocean Fertilization. By pumping iron sulfate into the oceans, phytoplankton spawn. The phytoplankton will thrive as they utilize the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Once the phytoplankton die, they will sink towards the bottom of the ocean, burying the amount of carbon dioxide they indulged in.

Sounds great, no? Unfortunately it’s not an easy project. It’s a risky battle that might end in failure. Although the labs are recreating the experiment, who knows what will happen in the ocean. This procedure is not one to kid around either. It’s going to cost millions…maybe even billions!

1. Go calculate your carbon footprint at this website. Click the “calculate for me only”. After completing this little test, what is YOUR carbon footprint? How do to compare to the people in the world? How do you compare with the average people in the U.S? Be brutally honest.

2. What are your opinions of the technique, “ocean fertilization”? Do you agree with using it? Why or why not? Link to a site that supports your opinions.

3. From this website, list ONE fact you can do to prevent the amount of CO₂ you produce each year. No repeats please.