environmentweb guide to carbon footprints
Carbon footprints are an increasingly common tool used in order to estimate the environmental impact that we, as individuals, have on the planet. It also provides us with a means of setting targets to try and reduce the effect we have. But how does carbon footprinting work? Does it really show the impact that we have on the environment? And what can we do to try and reduce it?
Contents
What is a carbon footprint?
So I can't control my carbon footprint?
If I had no carbon footprint would that mean I had no impact on the environment?
How can I find out my carbon footprint and what can I do to reduce it?
Useful links
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is basically a method of measuring the impact that your activites have on the environment by calculating the quantity of greenhouse gases they produce and expressing this in terms of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The aim of a carbon footprint is to take a 'lifecycle' approach to the things we do and use, so the full impact of our activites is represented. This means that it includes not only greenhouses gases we produce directly, such as by driving, taking flights, using electricity and heating our homes, but also those produced in order to produce and transport our food, the clothes we wear, to run public services we rely on and so on.
So I can't control my carbon footprint?
The honest answer to that is no, not 100%. But you can have a major impact on it. The pie chart below shows the make up of a typical persons carbon footprint. As you can see almost half of it is made up of CO2 we are directly responsible for (the green segments) while indirect emissions (in yellow) make up just over half.
Image taken from http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html
This means that we can take direct action to reduce our carbon footprint as a result of the activites in green segments. We can also try to reduce the carbon footprint of many activities in the yellow segments. While we can't directly control the carbon that is produced to bring us our food or clothes we can choose local produce over imports, or buy products from companies that are working to reduce their own carbon footprint, such as those with the Carbon Reduction label (see our guide to green labeling). You could also take action by writing to your local MP and encouraging them to help reduce the carbon footprint of public services in your local area.
If I had no carbon footprint would that mean I had no impact on the environment?
The answer to that is no. While it's very unlikely that anyone ever would have a zero carbon footprint, unless the spent a considerable amount of money on carbon offsetting, CO2 production is not the only impact people have on the environment. As well as other greenhouse gases, such as methane, we also contribute to water pollution and sol pollution as well as ecological damage that can result from human development.
Reducing your carbon footprint is, however, a great way to become more efficient and less wasteful. In doing this it is very likely that other negative environmental impacts such as those mentioned above will also be reduced as a result. It's also very hard to quantify other forms of environmental impact that we have, so carbon footprints are really good at providing us with set goals to aim for in reducing our impact on the environment.
How can I find out my carbon footprint, and what can I do to reduce it?
There are a number of websites available which will help you to calculate your carbon footprint. The Carbon Trust provide several options for calculating either a basic or a full carbon footprint. The UK Carbon Footprint Project, run by Google alongside a range of environmental charities, government organisations and companies also offers a great carbon fooprint calculator as well as tools to help you set targets and reduce your footprint (It also creates a new page if you use iGoogle, so is definitely recommended for existing iGoogle users).
There are many things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint - most of which will save you money as well. The first thing for most people is to make your hom more energy efficient. This can be as siple as switching to energy efficient lightbulbs or you can go as far as to improve your insulation or switch to a green energy supplier. As I mentioned before you can also try to buy more local produce, or choose products from companies that are trying to reduce their own carbon footprints. Check out some of the sites in the useful links below for a lot more great suggestions.
Useful links
If you want to calculate your carbon footprint and start trying to reduce it, two recommended sites are:
The Carbon Trust - The carbon trust was set up by the government in 2001 to try to help move Britain towards a low carbon economy and encourage the development of low carbon technologies.
The UK Carbon Footprint Project - Run by Google in conjunction with a wide range of other organisations this offers a carbon footprint calculator along with realistic suggestions to help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Wikipedia - The Wikipedia article of carbon footprints is a great start if you want further information on the subject.
