In this part of the country electricity production, heating /
cooling for buildings and transportation is primarily provided at
the expense of burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuel burning produces
greenhouse gases, primarily measured in units (tons) of carbon
dioxide. There has been a 25% increase in atmospheric CO2 in the
past 150 years. Conversion numbers to equal metric tons of
CO2 for most utilized energy sources in the NYC area are as
follows:
- Therms of natural gas times 0.005853
- Gallons of fuel oil times 0.011188
- Gallons of gasoline times 0.011222
- Gallons of diesel oil times 0.010968
- Kilowatts of electricity times 0.000545
For example if the average home in Queens NY consumes 12,000 Kwh
per year, the CO2 metric ton (carbon footprint) for the production
and transportation of that electricity is 12,000Kwh X 0.000545 =
6.5 tons CO2.
Energy conservation mitigates the production of atmospheric CO2,
(greenhouse gas) and global warming.