Reducing, reusing, and recycling are common terms in our society today. Along with the words “carbon footprint.” What is a “carbon footprint,” actually? Your carbon footprint is an estimate of the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions that result from your consumption levels in a given time frame. It is the mark you leave on our planet and our environment long after you are gone. Many people do not realize the long-lasting effects greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 or carbon dioxide, can have on our planet and regrettably, I was one of them. Using three separate calculators, I was able to determine that my personal carbon footprint is undoubtedly unacceptable; additionally, I learned the various behaviors that increase my carbon footprint and the simple ways we all can reduce our own personal carbon footprints. Using the carbon footprint calculator at www.nature.org, I determined my personal greenhouse gas emissions per year equates to 28 tons of carbon dioxide per year, while the average per person in the United States is 27 tons per year. After visiting a similar calculator at www.carbonfootprint.com, the results showed my personal carbon footprint as 22.95 metric tons of carbon dioxide; these results were also above the national average reported by this website, which reflected 20.40 metric tons per year. Lastly, at www.footprintnetwork.org, it was determined that my current lifestyle requires 26 tons of carbon dioxide; furthermore, this website reported that if everyone on Earth had a lifestyle similar to mine, 5.3 Earths would be required in order to have adequate resources! While there are slight variations in my results from these three calculators, they generally show the same results: my current lifestyle is not reasonable nor sustainable and is creating a lasting impact on our planet.
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All three calculators brought results that reflected my mobility (travel by car) is the most significant factor in my large carbon footprint. Similarly, all three indicated my secondary carbon footprint, things such as consumption and recycling habits, are also strong contributors to my larger-than-average carbon footprint.The likely reasons for the variations in results may include: higher accuracy in one calculator versus the others, more detailed information being requested from the user, and different calculations for the national average. However, even with the variations considered, the ultimate truth is that there are many ways that I can personally contribute to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to visiting the carbon footprint calculation websites, I was ashamedly unaware of how seemingly small behaviors can add up to a larger impact. Behaviors such as unplugging equipment when not in used, recycling, and consuming less meat products can all decrease our carbon footprints. You frequently hear about the importance of lower consumption behaviors and how they help to preserve and sustain our planet, but seeing your individual impact and being asked to provide honest detail sheds a new light on the real impact of each of our personal carbon footprints. Throughout the study of this chapter, I have learned how chemistry, and the knowledge of such, effects our day-to-day lives. It is truly incredible to learn how chemistry is present in every aspect of life, including our habits and behaviors, as is the case with my personal carbon footprint. I have observed climate change in my lifetime; I have seen
All three calculators brought results that reflected my mobility (travel by car) is the most significant factor in my large carbon footprint. Similarly, all three indicated my secondary carbon footprint, things such as consumption and recycling habits, are also strong contributors to my larger-than-average carbon footprint.The likely reasons for the variations in results may include: higher accuracy in one calculator versus the others, more detailed information being requested from the user, and different calculations for the national average. However, even with the variations considered, the ultimate truth is that there are many ways that I can personally contribute to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to visiting the carbon footprint calculation websites, I was ashamedly unaware of how seemingly small behaviors can add up to a larger impact. Behaviors such as unplugging equipment when not in used, recycling, and consuming less meat products can all decrease our carbon footprints. You frequently hear about the importance of lower consumption behaviors and how they help to preserve and sustain our planet, but seeing your individual impact and being asked to provide honest detail sheds a new light on the real impact of each of our personal carbon footprints. Throughout the study of this chapter, I have learned how chemistry, and the knowledge of such, effects our day-to-day lives. It is truly incredible to learn how chemistry is present in every aspect of life, including our habits and behaviors, as is the case with my personal carbon footprint. I have observed climate change in my lifetime; I have seen