How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

  • May 20, 2009
  • 2,082 Views
Please install Flash

A carbon footprint is an equation that estimates just how much you, personally, are contributing to global warming—and all you have to do is plug some info into an online calculator. Figuring out how to make your footprint smaller, of course, is another m

You Will Need

  • Your recent utility bills
  • An estimate of how much gasoline your car uses
  • Details of any recent traveling you’ve done
How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Locate a carbon footprint calculator

Step 1: Locate a carbon footprint calculator

Use an online search engine to locate a website with a “carbon footprint calculator.” If you provide the information, these sites will determine your footprint for free.

How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Provide the requested information

Step 2: Provide the requested information

Provide the requested information, which will include the number of people in your house; your average monthly energy costs; the type of car you drive; how much you drive; and any recent flights you’ve taken.

How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Analyze the results

Step 3: Analyze the results

Review the summary of your carbon footprint, which you’ll receive when you complete the questionnaire. Your footprint will be presented in the form of tons of CO2, or carbon dioxide, that you’re responsible for producing each year.

Many of the websites that calculate your footprint will offer tips on how you can reduce it.

How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Explore carbon offsets

Step 4: Explore carbon offsets

Explore carbon offsets, which are “credits” you can buy from companies that take steps, like planting trees, to offset the carbon dioxide you’re creating.

Make sure that the carbon-offset programs have verifiable credentials; there’s a lot of fraud in this new industry.

How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Take action

Step 5: Take action

Don’t ignore your new knowledge. Knowing just how much you’re connected to the health of your planet is only the first step toward dedicated action.

In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that global warming is “unequivocal” and very likely caused by human activities.

Something wrong?

Report This How-To

Cancel

Comments (3)

howtolovers

The easy steps is un-orderly!!!!!

over 2 years ago by howtolovers

Reply
HeatherM

Thanks! I fixed them now!

over 2 years ago by HeatherM

Reply
HeatherM

Nice video! I like the shot of the plane, the traffic, and the tilt in the woods at the end. Well done!

over 2 years ago by HeatherM

Reply

or to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends