In class this week, we've been discussing our individual and collective "carbon footprint" as part of our inquiry into the environment.
A carbon footprint is defined as:
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support an individual's activities, usually given in tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are produced by burning fossil fuels, such as gas and oil.For example, when you drive a car, the engine burns fuel, which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of that electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also created some quantities of CO2.
Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were caused by your activities in a given time frame. Usually a carbon footprint is calculated for the time period of a year.
Please watch this short video explaining your carbon footprint. (2 minutes)
And here's a website where you can actually calculate your own personal carbon footprint! Remember: smaller is better (more green) when it comes to carbon footprints!
https://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm
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