Re: Carbon Footprint
This assignment is due by the beginning of class.
The Carbon Footprint Analysis measures the impact of individual lifestyles on the environment. The calculation is generally limited to the amount of energy a person uses in daily life, and to the quantity of material goods consumed. The output of the Carbon Footprint calculation is generally expressed in equivalent kg of CO2 (CO2e).
Choose 1 Carbon Footprint Calculator from each column in the table below.
Tons CO2 / Year lbs CO2 / year # of Earths
CoolClimate Network
EPA
Global Footprint NetworkCarbon Independent
World Wildlife Fund (UK)The Nature Conservatory
Conservation International
Carbon Footprint TM
Many of these sites will ask you to make a donation to offset your carbon footprint.
You are under NO OBLIGATION to make a donation.
Calculate your carbon footprint at each site and record the answer in a table format (you may want to answer the question based on your family rather than on the way that you are living as a student). Record the calculator name and your results. Additionally, provide a description of how your carbon footprint was calculated.
Calculator Name Footprint Results Description / Example Questions
In a min. 1-page paper, compare and contrast the 3 calculators you used.
o Do you think the questions that were asked were valid
o Do you think that the result is a fair and adequate representation of your lifestyle
o What would change in the calculators to make the answer more realistic
o Is this website pushing a particular point of view
o Based on the results of the calculations and from your own personal knowledge, what one or two things could you do to reduce your carbon footprint
Choose the calculator that you thought was the most accurate and adjust your answers so your footprint is reduced by at least 25%. Is this something that you can realistically do Explain.