Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Carbon emissions contribute to climate change, which has serious consequences for humans and their environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, carbon emissions, in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), make up more than 80 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted in the United States (EPA, 2019). The burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases. These carbon emissions raise global temperatures by trapping solar energy in the atmosphere. This alters water supplies and weather patterns, changes the growing season for food crops, and threatens coastal communities with increasing sea levels (EPA, 2016).
The amount of CO2 emitted per year A (in tons) for a vehicle that averages x miles per gallon of gas, can be approximated by the function .
Interpret the interval [20, 25] in the context of the question and then calculate and interpret the average rate of change.
Determine the average rate of change of the amount of CO2 emitted in a year over the interval [35, 40], and interpret its meaning.
Provide an interpretation of the difference between the values found in parts a) and b) and state the implications in the context of vehicle emissions of CO2. Be sure to discuss what the difference is between the average miles per gallon of 20-25 versus 35-40. Is one more ideal? Provide an explanation of your reasoning.