What is a Carbon Footprint

Many people wonder exactly what is a carbon footprint? In understanding climate change, definitions are crucial because they’re the only way we can begin to take real action. As simply stated on Carbon Footprint: “a carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment.” Which is to say, it’s the size of the effect we each have as individuals in creating greenhouse gas emissions.

It's crucial that we all take big steps to reduce our carbon footprints.

What Is a Carbon Footprint’s Size?

Once you understand what a carbon footprint is, the next important step is determining the size of your own footprint. This is easily done with a carbon footprint calculator, and they are all over the Internet. They mostly target your house, car and flights. A very good one is at the website connected with Al Gore’s award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, where you can quickly calculate your impact and then check out tips on reducing or offsetting it.

You may be surprised to see just how large your impact is. Size does matter when it comes to greenhouse gases. A lot of carbon can add up quickly just with day-to-day living. Americans tend to have a larger carbon footprint than the rest of the world, sadly, and also tend to be the least interested in doing much to reduce it. The trouble is that there has been too much misinformation and a lot of doubt cast by those who make their money via people’s continued high-carbon habits. Other countries have already taken big and bold steps towards seriously reducing their carbon emissions, and all Americans should make an effort to get in step.

Reducing Your Impact

So what is a carbon footprint’s impact worth? It can mean the difference between a healthy environment and a damaged one. The more tons of greenhouse gases we all emit, the more we are speeding up the pace of global warming. Although scientists have recently determined that the current climate change and damage we are already seeing won’t be reversed for years, that is no reason for us to lose hope. Rather, it is all the more important that we get serious and make a more concerted effort to put our individual and corporate houses in order.

The good news is that creating a more eco-friendly environment for your home and daily business is not at all impossible, in fact, many of the necessary steps are very easy.

At Home:

• Turn off everything when it isn’t in use. Lights, TV, computer – all should be off. You may think that putting something to sleep or in standby mode is not using any power, but in fact it’s a hefty drain. Once you have everything off, you’ll see the difference in your electric bill.

• If you have the option of joining a green energy supplier for your utilities, jump on it. This is a quick way to reduce your footprint by a large margin.

• Set the thermostat a few degrees lower and tell everyone to put on sweaters if they are cold.

Transportation:

• Try to take mass transit to work or school at least once or twice a week. If this is not feasible, look for carpool possibilities.

• Ride a bicycle or walk when you have the option.

• If you drive to do the family grocery shopping, try to do it all in one weekly trip (and bring reusable bags!)

• For short trips, look for options other than flying. Trains or buses are much less polluting than planes.

Additionally, consider some of these investments:

• A clothesline or rack to hang clothes dry instead of using the dryer
• Compact fluorescent or LED bulbs throughout the house
• EnergyStar appliances
• Low flow toilets
• Solar power panels
• A compost bin

Even just a few of these changes can begin to make a real difference. And don’t be shy – get family, friends and neighbors involved too. Everyone’s footprint matters.

• Ways to Prevent Global Warming
• 50 Specific Actions of Green Living
• Examples of Sustainable Development

• United States Recycling Statistics
• Types of Pollution
• Effects of Water Pollution
• Air Pollution Statistics
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels

• Category:Low-Impact Living
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• Hybrid Vehicle Emissions
• Alternative Energy Sources
• Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint