It is a measurement of the emissions given off by a person and their lifestyle.
Your carbon footprint is a measurement of how much CO2 you produce each year. There are ways to calculate it and there are always ways to reduce it.
A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product". For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product". For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases are made out of:
water vapour
carbon dioxide
ozone
Chlorofluorocarbons
They are all natural gases, but extra greenhouses gases can be made by humans polluting.
IS IT BETTER TO HAVE A BIG FOOTPRINT OR A SMALL ONE?
What contributes towards your footprint – what makes it bigger?
Impact on Humans
Like all living things, humans exploit their surroundings for resources. The world’s human population has passed 6 billion and continues to increase. The growth in the human population and the increase in the standard of living are putting strains on the global environment. Here are some of the ways in which this is happening
non-renewable energy resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are being used up rapidly
non-renewable energy resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are being used up rapidly
raw materials are being used up rapidly
more waste is being produced
more pollution is being caused
How to reduce your Carbon Footprint individually?
Turn things off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, WiFi, computers etc.
Turn down the heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C). Just 1 degree will help reduce your heating bill by about 8%.
Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for school
Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for school
Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder
Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
