CO2 emissions from gasoline contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Gasoline is made from processed crude oil, a fossil fuel commonly known as petroleum. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 85 percent of U.S. energy today comes from fossil fuels, which contain hydrocarbons, organic compounds and small amounts of metal.
What Is Carbon Dioxide?
When fossil fuels are burned, the hydrocarbons separate into hydrogen and carbon. The hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water, and the carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO2).
Calculating CO2 Emissions
DOE statistics show that CO2 and other emissions from energy-related fuels accounted for more than 86.2 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2008. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses this formula for calculating CO2 emissions from a gallon of gasoline: Multiply the average carbon content per gallon (2,421 grams) by the amount of carbon that remains un-oxidized (0.99) by the ratio of molecular weight of CO2 to carbon (44/12) = 8,788 grams/8.8 kg/19.4 pounds per gallon.
Reducing CO2 Emissions
We can help reduce greenhouse gases by using sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind and water and reducing energy consumption through clean vehicles and other energy-efficient technologies.
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