How much carbon is created when you post a letter?

Question

I'd ideally like some way to find out how much carbon is created between multiple destinations. But I'm looking specifically for

a) An average amount per mile/per kilometer

b) An average amount sending a letter from London to York in England (209 miles)

Answer 1

Hello,

(ANS) To actually arrive at an approximate figure for this question would be extremely difficult or very challenging because you have to apply a detailed analysis to a very complex & long sequence of events. i.e. its called LONG CHAIN ANALYSIS i think?

**This means that you have to examine each & every step in the chain of events and find out precisely how much carbon (CO2) is released, add the sum total together and then divide this figure by a) distance per mile or Kilometer and B) by 209miles.

**Its an extremely difficult & complex equation or formula you need.

Good luck with that, regards Ivan.

Answer 2

No carbon at all.  The element is abundant on earth and its total quantity is relatively constant.  The only known way to create carbon is to transform lighter elements through nuclear fusion.  Carbon is formed in stars by a process beginning with hydrogen:

1.  Four Hydrogen nuclei are fused to form helium.

2.  Three helium nuclei are fused to form carbon.

Answer 3

you mean emissions of carbon to the atmosphere;

for London to York example;



journey in vans; say 2 x 20 miles postie's round @ about 7 litres/100km x weight of letter/ weight of load (i guess about 20 kg)

in truck; london to hub in birmingham then to york about 220 miles x fuel used (@ about 20 litres/100 km) x weight of letter/weight of lorry load (typically about 10 tonnes)

plus a small amount from the electric use at the sorting offices (connveryor belts, lighting - they dont tend to be heated lol!).

Answer 4

Yawn who cares....

I think this whole carbon thing is silly as it only encourages people to feel bad. It is big things like exploding nuclear bombs that gonna kill us all! And I don't worry about that either...