| What
is Carbon & Why Do I care?
Most of the world's
leading scientists and politicians agree that
'greenhouse gases' are causing climate change.
The most potent of these gasses is carbon
dioxide (CO2). Increasing levels
of atmospheric CO2 and methane are major drivers
of climate change.
Carbon is the
fourth most abundant element in the universe by
mass after
hydrogen,
helium, and
oxygen. It is present in all known
life forms, and in the human body,
How
is Carbon Produced?
Whenever we burn
fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas - in our
factories, offices and vehicles - carbon dioxide
(CO2) is produced. So the more that goes into
the air, the more the world heats up. This
change can look small, but it's enough to have a
big effect.
The three main
ways that CO2 is produced is through
deforestation, fossil fuels, and global warming.
See the "How is Carbon
Produced?" page for more info.
There are many other ways that carbon is
produced and many other compounds, such as
methane from the cattle industry, that
contribute to climate change as well.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon
footprint is a measure of the impact
our daily activities and lifestyle have on the
environment and, in
particular, climate change. It relates to the
amount of greenhouse gases produced in our
day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels
for utilities, consumption, transportation, and
other factors.
Each person has
their own unique carbon footprint, a measure of
how much CO2 a person emits per year. The
average person emits 26 tons (measurement for
CO2) of CO2 per year. The more electricity, gas,
fuel, and natural resources you use per year, the higher your
personal carbon footprint will be.
What is MY Carbon Footprint?
There are several
carbon footprint calculators available to measure your impact on
our climate. The following carbon footprint calculators
estimate how many tons of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases your choices create each
year.
How do I reduce my Carbon Footprint?
You
can start reducing your carbon footprint
immediately! Check out the carbon offset pages
listed above for ideas, or follow a couple of
our personal tips:.
-
Pledge to ride your bike or carpool at least
once per week.
-
Choose a carbon offset option with your next
flight.
-
Check out the carbon footprint of your
favorite stores and products.
-
Eat less meat & dairy. Make vegetarian
meals a family tradition.
-
Compost your food scraps at home for your
garden.
|
