Homework Answers

So, no homework was done. Here's a partial answer.

1.355E11 gallons = annual gasoline consumption in the USA (2002)

2.71E12 lbs = carbon dioxide produced from said gasoline consumption (@20 lbs/gallon)

6.48E15 lbs = total current atmospheric carbon dioxide by weight

0.00042 = proportion due to gasoline consumption in USA

Pretty much underwhelming, eh? So let's park all our cars and walk everywhere, or use bicycles. Will it make a difference in atmospheric carbon dioxide? No, the effect will not even be measurable. We may get a lot healthier, but the climate won't change. Sorry.

More homework solutions:

440 = gallons of gasoline consumed annually by Maxima

8800 = lbs of CO2 produced annually by driving Maxima

0.00000000000136 = annual Maxima contribution to atmospheric CO2

I obviously don't make a difference. But what if "everybody" did it? Okay, let's divide the planet into households of four people each, and the breadwinner gets to burn 440 gallons of gasoline:

0.0022 = how much if everybody in the world did likewise

One-fifth of one percent. I'm okay with that. Everybody get out there and drive!