AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The carbon footprint and its reduction: describe actions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and methane
Carbon dioxide is released mainly by burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transport, so reductions come from using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and using public…
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Carbon dioxide is released mainly by burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transport, so reductions come from using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and using public transport or electric vehicles. Methane is released from livestock, landfill and some agricultural practices, so reductions come from reducing food waste, capturing landfill gas, changing livestock feed or managing manure. A strong answer names the action, identifies the gas it reduces and briefly states how.
For example: Insulating a loft reduces burning of natural gas for heating, cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
What earns the marks
- Name a specific action, such as generating electricity from solar or wind rather than coal or gas.
- State which greenhouse gas is reduced by the action, for example carbon dioxide from less fossil fuel combustion.
- Describe how the action lowers emissions, such as capturing methane from landfill instead of releasing it.
- Include actions targeting methane, such as reducing food waste sent to landfill or changing livestock feed.
- Use correct terms such as renewable, combustion, greenhouse gas and landfill.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing only carbon dioxide actions and ignoring methane.
Put it right: Include at least one methane-specific action such as reducing landfill waste.
Confusing energy efficiency with renewable energy.
Put it right: State that efficiency reduces demand while renewables change the energy source.
Describing an action without linking it to a gas.
Put it right: Name the gas reduced and the process involved.
Exam tips
- Aim for two or three distinct actions, each with a clear gas and mechanism, rather than a long vague list.
- Use connectives such as 'because' or 'so that' to show the link between action and reduced emissions.
- If the question gives a context such as a farm or a home, choose actions that fit that context.
Try the lesson
The start of the The carbon footprint and its reduction: describe actions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and methane lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which action would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere?
Listen
Carbon dioxide is released mainly by burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transport, so reductions come from using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and using public transport or electric vehicles. Methane is released from livestock, landfill and some agricultural practices, so reductions come from reducing food waste, capturing landfill gas, changing livestock feed or managing manure. A strong answer names the action, identifies the gas it reduces and briefly states how. For example, insulating a loft reduces burning of natural gas for heating, cutting carbon dioxide emissions. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Name a specific action, such as generating electricity from solar or wind rather than coal or gas. State which greenhouse gas is reduced by the action, for example carbon dioxide from less fossil fuel combustion. Describe how the action lowers emissions, such as capturing methane from landfill instead of releasing it. Include actions targeting methane, such as reducing food waste sent to landfill or changing livestock feed. A common slip: Listing only carbon dioxide actions and ignoring methane. Instead, include at least one methane-specific action such as reducing landfill waste. Exam tip: Aim for two or three distinct actions, each with a clear gas and mechanism, rather than a long vague list.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Renewable
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Combustion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Greenhouse gas
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Landfill
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Renewable
- A correct term for an energy source used instead of coal or gas, as when generating electricity from solar or wind.
- Combustion
- The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transport, which releases carbon dioxide.
- Greenhouse gas
- A gas such as carbon dioxide or methane whose emissions actions aim to reduce.
- Landfill
- A source of methane where capturing the gas lowers emissions instead of releasing it.
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