One's carbon footprint involves the amount of greenhouse emissions produced by human beings, either directly or indirectly. Human activities emit carbon dioxide into the environment. Some activities contribute obvious emissions into the environment, such as driving a car or heating a home. Other things, such as the foods you buy, may be less obvious contributors, but they also have an impact. Carbon dioxide exists naturally in Earth's environment, but human activities are contributing to more carbon dioxide in the environment, which is upsetting a delicate balance. Excessive levels of carbon dioxide can cause the entrapment of heat near Earth's surface, which could lead to climate changes and global warming. Every person on Earth contributes carbon dioxide into the environment. Hence, everyone can have a positive impact on the environment by taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. By driving less, weatherproofing their home, using renewable sources of energy, purchasing local food, and recycling waste, it's possible for people to reduce individual carbon footprint. You can also use a carbon footprint calculator to estimate your personal impact on the Earth.
— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a carbon footprint calculator to help people measure their impact on the environment.
— Knowing your carbon footprint tells you the amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases your existence puts into the environment.
— Lifestyle choices have an impact on someone's carbon footprint. For example, the travel method used to commute between work and home could be virtually nil for someone who walks or bikes to work.
— Where one lives and the size of their family are factors that determine someone's carbon footprint.
— Travel method choices make up the biggest percentage of a consumer's carbon footprint.
— A carbon calculator can calculate the impact on the environment for an individual person, for a business, or for an event.
— A consumer can find out how much land it takes to support their individual existence using a personal footprint calculator.
— Anyone who wants to reduce their personal emissions should start by calculating their current impact on the environment. Upon receiving this estimate, it's then possible to work to reduce the figure.
— Use a carbon calculator for a home or business to determine the effect these entities have on the environment. A travel calculator can estimate the impact a trip might have on the environment.
— By entering information about a household, a carbon calculator will estimate the impact the household has on Earth.
— Answering questions in a simple quiz will help you see the size of your personal ecological footprint.
— By thinking about lifestyle and answering questions about family size and travel choices with a carbon footprint calculator, you can see an estimate of your impact on the Earth.
— Everyone makes lifestyle choices every day that impact the environment. Simple changes like turning off lights that are not in use and biking to run an errand can help the environment.
(PDF) — Carbon emissions in the environment can contribute to climate change and global warming.
(PDF) — People can reduce their carbon footprints by consuming less energy, eating organic food, and recycling items instead of throwing them in the trash.
(PDF) — Using water requires energy, which has an impact on the environment. When communities and individuals focus on conserving water, it's possible to reduce the carbon footprint of water.
(PDF) — Buildings in the United States contribute 39 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions. Most emissions come from the fossil fuels needed to heat, cool, and power the buildings.
(PDF) — The clinical definition of "carbon footprint" is important to consider as people consider their personal contribution of greenhouse emissions.
— Using public transportation or carpooling are two ways that people can reduce the carbon footprint from commuting to and from work.
(Video) — The U.S. National Park Service educates people about their carbon footprint. Understanding how carbon dioxide works in the environment helps people understand the concept of a carbon footprint.
— Carbon calculators analyze how you heat your home, where you live, and your commute to and from work to return an estimate of the amount of emissions you contribute to the environment.
— Because concrete actually absorbs carbon dioxide, it may have less of a carbon footprint than scientists originally thought.
— Driving less and weatherproofing your home are two important ways to reduce carbon emissions.
(PDF) — Learning about carbon emissions that everyone contributes to the environment is the first step toward reducing one's carbon footprint.
— Review the Clean Power Plan to see legislation that will set new standards for power plant pollution.
— To reduce carbon emissions, utilize carbon-free energy sources such as the sun and wind.
(PDF) — Transportation represents the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
