According to the Carbon Trust, "A 'carbon footprint' measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organization, event or product." It is most commonly expressed by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide, or an equal amount of other greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), that are emitted. Any size body, from an individual person to an entire nation or other organization, can have its carbon footprint measured. The Nature Conservancy has a useful online carbon footprint calculator that individuals can use to measure either their own emissions or that of their whole family: http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/. After calculating a carbon footprint, the most common next step is to develop a strategy to in some way reduce or improve it. One of the most popular ways people and countries reduce their carbon footprint is called carbon offsetting, which is the use or development of alternative modes of energy, like solar and wind power. On an individual level, there are many ways people can reduce their carbon emissions. The following are some tips that the Nature Conservancy suggests:1. Change your most common method of transport: Trying walking or riding a bike instead of driving a car. The fossil fuels that motor vehicles depend on cause significant amount of air pollution. For every mile you choose to travel on foot or by bicycle, you will be saving one pound of carbon.2. Use technology instead of flying for business: If possible, utilizing telephones or videoconferences will not only save your company money (and you lots of travel time), it will also prevent carbon emissions. Airplanes cause 12 percent of carbon emissions in the transportation sector. 3. Be more energy-efficient with your light sources: Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. For every incandescent bulb you replace with a compact fluorescent, you will save 100 pounds of carbon over the lifespan of the bulb.4. Recycle and support recycled products: Products made from recycled materials require less energy to manufacture than product made from new materials. For every 20 glass bottles you recycle, you will save two pounds of carbon. 5. Stay pumped up: Keeping the tires inflated in your car will not only help you get better gas mileage, it will also burn less gas and release less carbon into the atmosphere. If you inflate your tires about once a month, then for every 10,000 miles you drive, you will save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide.6. Use less heating and air conditioning: More than half of the energy used by homes in the United States if for heating and cooling. Try turning down the heat or air when you're not at home or sleeping. Get a thermostat that you can program for a certain heating and cooling schedule. 7. Support local food: Many people don't realize how far their food usually travels before making it to their plate. Try shopping at local farmers markets or small markets that sell produce from local farmers.
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Learn how to measure your carbon footprint and what to do about your effect on the environment
Jeffery Holter is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. In his spare time he does his best to reduce his carbon footprint. For more information on helping the environment through the use of thermal oxidizers visit OxidizerService.com.
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