Web site keeps eye on S.J. carbon

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There’s a reason it’s called global warming.

For years, scientists have struggled to pinpoint the many sources of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of climate change. Where does it come from and how much does each of us contribute?

For the first time, you can see some answers on your computer screen. A team of researchers has developed a Google Earth map that cuts up the carbon pie for every county in the United States.
Check it out

Here’s how to access the Google Earth carbon maps:

• Go to tinyurl.com/5djlax and click on the “now on Google Earth” link in the text.

• You’ll need to download Google Earth, if you don’t have it already. It’s free.

• Follow the directions to download the plug-in with climate data.

• Now you’re set. You can explore the carbon footprint of any county, check out how various regions of the country compare, or zoom in on the San Joaquin Valley and Bay Area for some closer-to-home analysis.

California, not surprisingly, is one of the leading carbon culprits.

The good, the bad

Purdue University’s “Vulcan Project,” which relies heavily on federal pollution data, shows California trailing only Texas in the amount of carbon spewing from its smokestacks or tailpipes.

Within California, San Joaquin County has the 15th-largest carbon footprint, with nearly half of its emissions attributable to cars and trucks.

Visit the site, play with the map and see for yourself:

» San Joaquin County has more emissions from industry (including farms) than most neighboring counties; it emits 10 times more than Sacramento County. However, San Joaquin County spews far less carbon from power plants.

» San Joaquin’s overall carbon footprint is larger than San Francisco County’s. However, it’s smaller than three of its more crowded neighbors: Alameda, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.

» Nearly 3 tons of carbon is emitted annually for each San Joaquin County resident. That’s about average for the state.

» The “big toe” of our carbon footprint comes from driving - not surprising, given the many lengthy commutes to the Bay Area. On the plus side, San Joaquin County residents are doing a better job at home, where central heating, water usage and cooking can all lead to greater carbon emissions.
Larger things ahead

“Vulcan” scientists hope to get a lot more specific in the future. Someday they hope to show the carbon footprint for your own street, or even individual businesses or homes.

This could be useful as local planners consider strategies to fight climate change, said Purdue’s Kevin Gurney.

“The idea is to bring climate change into the living room” and make it relevant, he said.

“It’s been very difficult to create any kind of image or conception of for what this problem is,” Gurney said. “I think it’s been an incredible barrier to people actually doing anything.”