Dear Wanda,
What’s My Carbon Footprint (and Why Should I Care)?
-Big Foot
Hey Big Foot!
You may have heard the term “carbon footprint” for quite some time now, but most anyone would struggle explaining what it is to someone. You might know that it has something to do with the environment or that it is something that you want to reduce.
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other carbon compound emissions that you produce in a year. We emit carbon compounds in a variety of ways, but it all goes back to burning fossil fuels. Many of our daily activities use fossil fuels, such as driving a car, using electricity and disposing of waste.
So what’s the big deal? Why should I care?
Those carbon emissions accumulate and negatively impact the environment, potentially leading to global warming. Americans are among the worst offenders in generating carbon emissions. In fact, according to an MIT study, Americans who consume the lowest amount of energy – the homeless – still double the global average!
The good news is that you can reduce your carbon footprint. By taking steps like carpooling, recycling or switching to solar power, you are making strides to a cleaner environment.
Calculate your carbon footprint here!