How can we reduce our Carbon Footprint? By:Elizabeth Fleetwood

What is a Carbon Footprint? The actual definition of a carbon footprint is “a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, & in particular climate change.” The actual definition of a carbon footprint is “a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, & in particular climate change.” This is deals with the amount of greenhouse gases that we produce either individually or continentally on a day-by-day basis. This is deals with the amount of greenhouse gases that we produce either individually or continentally on a day-by-day basis. There are things called primary footprints & secondary footprints. There are things called primary footprints & secondary footprints. Primary footprints are the amount direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy and transportation. These are the ones we can control directly, like cars & planes. Primary footprints are the amount direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy and transportation. These are the ones we can control directly, like cars & planes. Secondary footprints are the amount of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use. In other words, the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf. Secondary footprints are the amount of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use. In other words, the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

What’s the average? The diagram to the left shows that the approximate carbon footprint for the average person living in the United States is about 20 Metric Tons, while the average homeless person is only 8.5 Tons and the average for the world is about 4 Tons. This is per person. This was only in 2008.

What’s the average? (cont’d) The average carbon footprint for 2010 is projected to be about 20% more than 2008.

How can we reduce? Here’s 10 ways to reduce your carbon footprint right at home 1. Buy organic and local- There's a better chance the food was grown in an eco-friendly way, and if it's locally grown, it didn't have to travel that far. Try eating at restaurants that serve locally produced or seasonal foods. 2. Pay attention to packaging- When out shopping, try to go to stores or co-ops that keep packaging to a minimum. Also, try to stick with the re-usable cloth or vinyl bags. 3. Ditch bottled water- Bottled water has a huge carbon footprint — it's bottled at one location in small plastic bottles and shipped all over. Try buying a reusable water bottle or canteen for your water. 4. Energy-proof your home- Keep your heating and cooling systems properly maintained, and switch to reusable filters when possible. Try switching from incandescent to compact florescent light bulbs. Compact florescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than our normal light bulbs and last much longer 5. Go native- Use native plant species to landscape around your home or business. The plants will probably grow better in a familiar environment, and the plants may also get shipped a shorter distance to get to your local nursery. Also, use organic soil when planting

How can we reduce? (cont’d) 1. Switch water heaters to vacation mode- Most water heaters have a "vacation" setting for when you are away from home for an extended period of time. Switching to that "away" mode still keeps the water warm, but it won’t use all the energy to keep the whole tank hot. 2. Unplug it!- Unplug appliances that you don't use frequently. Most electronics have a standby mode that siphons energy even when not in use. Cell phone chargers, laptops, etc. 3. Keep your car- With gas prices seemingly always on the rise, it's tempting to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle. But if your older-model car is in good condition, you're better off keeping it in good running condition. Even hybrids create a big footprint when they're built, or switch to maybe riding a bike once or twice a week instead of driving. 4. Have the family over- Cooking and entertaining for larger groups is more efficient and, per person, a lot less expensive. 5. The Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Try buying less, and reusing and fixing things when you can instead of buying new. And for a lot of people, recycling is as easy as rolling the trash bin to the curb.

Video Exo

Works Cited Carbon Footprint - What Is A Carbon Footprint?." Carbon Footprint - Home of Carbon Management. RADsite.com, n.d. Web. 3 June Carbon Footprint - What Is A Carbon Footprint?." Carbon Footprint - Home of Carbon Management. RADsite.com, n.d. Web. 3 June "Carbon Footprint Of Best Conserving Americans Is Still Double Global Average." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Science Daily, n.d. Web. 3 June "Carbon Footprint Of Best Conserving Americans Is Still Double Global Average." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Science Daily, n.d. Web. 3 June Jefferson, Millie, producer, and Weekend America. "15 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint | Consumed | Sustainability Coverage From American Public Media." Sustainability Coverage From American Public Media. Weekend America, n.d. Web. 3 June Jefferson, Millie, producer, and Weekend America. "15 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint | Consumed | Sustainability Coverage From American Public Media." Sustainability Coverage From American Public Media. Weekend America, n.d. Web. 3 June ‘"YouTube - Climate Change - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint." YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 June ‘"YouTube - Climate Change - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint." YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 June