Abstract
The following assignment is for a fourth year environmental studies course. The topic of the assignment was carbon dioxide emission control mechanisms. The assignment looks at a proposal by the National Round Table on the environment and the economy. It basically suggested that the a combination of carbon taxes and emission trading will be succesful.

From the Paper
Carbon Dioxide Emission Control Policies Humanity faces a wide range of problems in the modern era including diminishing resources and environmental degradation. Global climate change is potentially the largest problem facing humanity. For example, in Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report it is stated, Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising

Tags:carbon, dioxide, emissions

Abstract
This paper discusses that concerns have been raised about a rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The paper explains that the issue has been examined using climate models, such as the one called EDGCM based on a 120 year long model run, starting in 1985 with an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The paper relates that a global climate model such as this allows for a study of climates in the past present and future.

From the Paper
"Such computer-driven models are one of the primary tools now used in climate research. The EDGCM model also serves as a learning tool for students and provides data to the public in a more easily-accessed manner than is true of some other models ("EDGCM: The Project" paras. 1-3)."

Tags:carbon, dioxide, concentrations

Abstract
This paper explains that numerous factors account for variations of global patterns of carbon accumulation. The author points out that some of these factors are climate, precipitation, cultivation, degree of irrigation,and altitude. The paper relates that also very significant, especially for tropical and temperate forests, are the measurement standards applied.

From the Paper
"Numerous factors account for variations of global patterns of carbon accumulation. Among those factors are climate, soil texture, soil cultivation, amount of nitrogen in soils, and the interaction of altitude and precipitation. Also very significant especially for tropical and temperate forests are the standards applied; not only do these studies use differing measurements depending on the ecosystem, but variations in measurements must often be used within a single ecosystem because of forest floor diversity (Schlesinger, 1977). One factor is geomorphological and/or hydrological instability in swamp and marsh, especially when edged by tree growth."

Tags:carbon, factors, patterns

Abstract
This paper examines how ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is one of the most widely used and most promising of the methods available for the detection and identification of explosives today. It looks at how two independent principles and the foundations of this technique are that ions can be created at ambient pressure from radioactive materials and how these gas phase ions can be characterized rapidly for mobility in weak electric fields. Several diagrams are included with the paper.


Outline:
Introduction
How it Works
Instrumentation
Sample Introduction
Ion Formation

From the Paper
"The electric field is established via a voltage divider and a series of conducting rings stacked between the ion shutter and the detector. In the drift region, there is a drift gas at constant pressure, which may be between 1 Torr and atmospheric pressure depending on the configuration of the IMS instrument. The ions experience a number of collisions as they pass through the buffer gas. These collisions hinder the ions progress to the detector. Larger ions move slower through the drift tube due to greater collision cross sections causing more collisions. Smaller ions, on the other hand, move faster as their collision cross section is smaller and therefore they encounter fewer collisions. This explains how the separation via shape and size is possible."

Tags:electric, fields, IMS, radioactive

Abstract
This paper focuses on the topic of carbon reporting, asserting that the key to reducing greenhouse gases on a global level is the establishment of a uniform reporting system. The paper explains that all nations, including developing countries, are affected by the growing demand for detailed carbon reporting. Companies on a global level are discovering the advantages of reporting their carbon levels, the paper notes, because investors are now beginning to see carbon reporting as a necessary part of corporate assessment; those companies that do not wish to participate in carbon reporting, or that make the information confidential, are immediately targeted as suspicious in the public eye. The paper explores the case study of Live Earth LLC, and concludes that humanity can tackle the greenhouse gas problem with only a few small changes on everyone's part. This paper contains an illustrative table.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Case Study
Guiding Principles of Sustainability
Mitigation in Different Venues
Measuring the Impact
Did It Work?
Key Stakeholders
Recommendations
References

From the Paper
"In the case of Live Earth report, these stakeholders included the Live Earth Staff, Artists, Concessions operators, other contractors, the audience, and broadcasters. The most important activity for all of these stakeholders was the collection and monitoring of data necessary for accurate reporting. Live Earth staff had the major portion of responsibility for planning and implementation of reduction activities. Other stakeholders had to carry out the plan devised for the event and make certain that all portions of the plan were carried out. They also had to look at their operations to determine if there were other places where they could reduce their carbon footprint."

Tags:pollution, emission, footprint, accountability, corporate

Abstract
The paper reveals that the introduction of a green carbon tax in Canada would essentially pay for itself in terms of its budgetary implications. The paper explains that a green carbon tax is nothing more than a fee that corporations pay that is in direct proportion to their carbon emissions or, as it has been alternatively described, a "polluter pay" solution (Keohane). The paper asserts that currently, the Ottawa government is forced to commit budgetary resources to carbon emissions in the form of environmental protection measures, research, and cleanup expenses incurred from environmental damage from carbon emissions.

From the Paper
"The introduction of a green carbon tax in Canada would essentially pay for itself in terms of its budgetary implications. A green carbon tax is nothing more than a fee that corporations pay that is in direct proportion to their carbon emissions or, as it has been alternatively described, a "polluter pay" solution (Keohane). Currently, the Ottawa government is forced to commit budgetary resources to carbon emissions in the form of environmental protection measures, research, and cleanup expenses incurred from environmental damage from carbon emissions. Shifting these budgetary..."

Tags:briefing, notes, policy

Abstract
This paper explores the concepts of carbon and ecological neutrality, the ecological footprint and the carbon footprint. The paper first explains how these concepts are measured. The paper then discusses solutions to reduce the levels of carbon emissions while decreasing mankind's overall ecological footprint.

Outline:
Carbon Neutral and the Footprint of Humanity
The Carbon and Ecological Footprint
Solutions to Reduce the Damage to the Environment

From the Paper
"The concept of being carbon neutral means to not damage the environment through Co2 emissions, which may be accomplished in two ways. One is to do absolutely no polluting; however in modern society this is not particularly possible, with the other being to match destruction with reduction, thus balancing things out. This concept however is founded upon the concepts of the footprints made by humanity. The human race is a population of consumers in every sense. All opportunities to utilize something towards progress or profit are capitalized upon. The earth as well as the population is harvested for its value, taking it and placing it upon the open market in the endless pursuit of capital generation. In tandem with this mass consumption is also heavy waste, as not all resources are infinite, and particular ways of life are not geared towards conservation."

Tags:ecological, footprint, fossil, fuels, energy, emissions

Abstract
This paper examines in detail the impact of our lifestyles on the environment, with a focus on how individuals can calculate their personal carbon footprint and impact change on the planet's health. The paper addresses current environmental concerns, such as climate change, and how our greenhouse gases have influenced this phenomenon. The paper continues by showing how individuals can reduce their carbon footprint, and presents these in a detailed list format. Primary and secondary carbon footprints are defined, with options presented as to how to reduce both. The paper concludes by stating that if everyone does their part to reduce their own carbon footprint it will benefit the entire planet in the long run.

From the Paper
"To calculate a personal carbon footprint, you need to know what emissions to include and what to exclude. You use miles traveled, distances, electricity usage, gas usage, kilowatt hours, and type of automobile you drive. These things will give you a good sense of your personal footprint. But in order to get a completely accurate picture you must also include your lifestyle which has an impact on the amount of greenhouse gas you produce. One example that you might take into account would be the amount of greenhouse gas that is released as a result of food production. If you partake in a meat diet the amounts of greenhouse gases are far more than if you are vegetarian."

Tags:emissions, greenhouse gases, primary footprint, fossil fuels

Abstract
This paper attempts to show how, by analyzing greenhouse gas uptake via measuring the trunks of different ages of tree stands, an estimate of carbon content can be derived. It looks at how the amount of carbon dioxide present helps to determine the success of the regeneration of deforested areas and the effects of mitigating global warming. It tests the difference in carbon accumulation in different age stands of trees to see which is most helpful in carbon accumulation and aiding in the fight against global warming.

Outline
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion

From the Paper
"The data we collected is vital to the reduction of greenhouse gases and necessary decrease of global warming in this day and age. Awareness is key to this situation due to the fact that roughly 25% of annual greenhouse gas emissions from human activities come from the United States (Rubin et al, 1992). By knowing the proper means of reduction of carbon emissions, one can contribute to the conservation of the planet, and live a healthier lifestyle. Maintaining healthy young forests is crucial to reducing the effects of emissions. Carbon uptake is strongest in trees before 50 years of age. Therefore, deforestation and reforestation techniques are important in the window of time after this stage. By clearing out forests and planting new trees, carbon mitigation will increase again over the next period of 50 years."

Tags:ecology, mitigation, reforestation, global, warming

Abstract
This paper discusses an experiment in which a Grignard reagent was synthesized and used to perform its unique function - nucleophilic addition to create a carbon-carbon bond. The paper describes the materials and methods used in the experiment. It then presents the results in a table and discusses the findings of the experiment.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Appendix

From the Paper
"Bis(diphenylmethyl) ether was more likely to form than any other side product because it is a result of nucleophilic substitution, which was the most likely mechanism to occur under the experimental conditions (Mazid and Palmer, 1975). The formation of biphenyl (as a result of self-coupling) was not possible during the synthesis of the Grignard reagent because during the Grignard reaction, coupling is avoided and precautions are taking to insure it does not occur. In order for the two carbons to couple, like in the alkylation by an acetylide ion (Wade, 433-445), the halide has to leave. However, the halide is an important component of any Grignard reagent, and if displaced by self-coupling (via nucleophilic substitution), the intended reaction could not occur. In other words, after the joining of the two equivalent alkyl groups, no further alkylationis possible, since the Grignard reagent would be destroyed (Wade, 433-445)."

Tags:carbon coupling ion, nucleophilic addition