How to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
Planet Earth is in peril. While technology, fuel, and transportation have made significant improvements in our way of life, we all have put some amount of strain into the environment. Greenhouse emissions, carbon dioxide in particular, have a very direct impact on global warming and other environmental strains. One way that people can make significant changes for an eco-friendly lifestyle is to measure their carbon footprint, and make the necessary changes to save the Earth.
What Is A Carbon Footprint?
Greenhouse emissions are a serious threat to the environment, and are a cause of great concern for environmental advocates. Greenhouse emissions are a key cause of global warming, algal blooms, deforestation, and other forms of serious environmental damage. While some people may think that only factories and vehicles are to blame for global warming and greenhouse effects, all individuals do contribute to the environmental problems plaguing the planet.
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse emissions produced by an individual or a group. Whether you take public transportation, indulge in recreational activities, or eat a certain kind and amount of food, you contribute to greenhouse emissions. The goal of a carbon footprint is to give you an idea of how much strain you put into the environment. Once you know your carbon footprint and realize your own impact on the planet, you can make the lifestyle adjustments you need to help save the environment in what little way you can.
Parts of the Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint is measured by the following factors:
Location. An individual’s carbon footprint is always compared relative to his or her country or location. In industrialized countries, the carbon footprint is usually larger because of manufacturing, pollution, and mass transportation.
Household activities. Electricity, water, heating, and other utilities all contribute to the total amount of carbon and greenhouse emissions that affect the planet.
Transportation and communication. Whether you take public transportation or drive a car, you add to your own carbon footprint. Flights and cruises also add a significant value to your carbon footprint. Even something as simple as using a mobile phone or a computer adds to greenhouse emissions because of the manufacturing process and other carbon-related processes involved in making and using them.
Diet and lifestyle. Meat-eaters, fast-food patrons, or people who enjoy exotic foods from endangered or threatened species also add to the total amount of carbon released into the environment. Sports like motorcross and racing also release a significant amount of
Events and holidays. Celebrations that involve motorcades, fireworks, and other activities can double or even triple the total amount of carbon found in the atmosphere.
Online Carbon Footprint Calculators
To get your individual carbon footprint, simply do a Web search for carbon footprint calculators. When you’re prompted for questions, be honest with your answers as much as possible; you don’t want to cheat yourself out of saving the environment. If you’re not absolutely sure about driving mileage or how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you use in a year, provide a rough estimate.
After your carbon footprint is estimated, take the necessary steps to reduce the amount of carbon or greenhouse gases you release into the environment. You may want to consider walking to work, reducing meat in your diet, or reducing the amount of electricity you spend in a day.
While it’s impossible to completely eliminate your carbon footprint, whatever small steps you take to reduce it makes a big difference if everyone follows your example. The small step you take to know and reduce your carbon footprint is a giant leap to save, protect, and restore the environment.