Final answer:
The question relates to the comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the oil lifecycle, from extraction to end use in vehicles. This encompasses stages of production, refining, transportation, and combustion. It also involves considering life-cycle CO₂ emissions, the effects of transportation on GHG emissions, and the balance of emissions and absorption in natural reservoirs versus the impact of fossil fuels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the inventory of inputs and outputs of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the lifecycle of oil from extraction to combustion. This includes the inclusive assessments from the oil wells (production) to the end use in cars. It encompasses the processes of oil production, upgrading, refining, transportation, and dispensing at gas stations, also considering life-cycle CO₂ emissions, which is the amount of CO₂ released for an energy source across its entire enterprise, including manufacture and operation.
According to studies, transportation systems account for a significant share of emissions, with a notable portion emanating from passenger vehicles. Therefore, it is crucial to account for energy-related CO₂ emissions, externalities, and the transition from pre-industrial equilibrium to the current scenario where fossil fuel consumption has significant impacts on GHG levels.
Observations indicate that the natural emissions and absorption of CO₂ from reservoirs like the atmosphere and oceans are in balance, but this is not the case with the additional CO₂ from fossil fuel consumption, which is contributing to rising atmospheric concentrations of GHGs.