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-A carbon footprint is historically defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused
by an [individual, event, organization, product] expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent."[1]
- The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human
activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Climate Change
Climate change is the ultimate effect of large carbon footprints. Greenhouse gases, whether natural or
human-produced, contribute to the warming of the planet. From 1990 to 2005, carbon dioxide
emissions increased by 31 percent. By 2008, the emissions had contributed to a 35 percent increase in
radiative warming, or a shift in Earths energy balance toward warming, over 1990 levels. The decade
from 2000 to 2009 was the warmest decade on record worldwide, according to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agencys Climate Change Indicators Report.
Depletion of Resources
Large carbon footprints deplete resources on large and small scales, from a countrys deforestation
activities to one homes increased use of air conditioning. The more those with large carbon footprints
use resources, the more greenhouse gases increase and spur further climate change. The Environmental
Protection Agency suggests that consideration of different energy supplies and conservation of current
ones will be needed to balance energy demand. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions as much as possible
and off-setting the remaining emissions by planting trees, for example, or supporting alternative energy
efforts, will help to reduce the negative effects of carbon footprints.
3. What activities at home, and at school contribute to the carbon footprint?
At home
Throwing clothes in the dryer Drying one load of laundry a week puts 0.1 metric tons of CO2 into
the atmosphere. Hang them outside and save yourself $11 in electricity costs while you're at it.
Working out Gym rats, beware: Running on a treadmill for 30 minutes three times a week will
boost your carbon footprint by 0.07 metric tons per year. Take it outside and watch that number
plummet to zero.
At school
Driving to school Let's say you commute 30 miles round-trip to work, which was about average
in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That's about 7,800 commuting
miles each year. And if you drive a car that gets 22 miles to the gallon every weekday, your
annual carbon footprint from commuting is 4.3 metric tons. If you want to shrink that estimate,
try carpooling three times a week. You'll save 0.85 tons of carbon and $323 dollars in fuel and
vehicle depreciation costs per year.
Electrical appliances - Even when electrical appliances are not being used they still use power,
even if they are switched to standby. We need to turn appliances off not only from their remote
control, but also at the powerpoint to avoid wasting electricity.