Carbon Footprints

We're all hearing about our carbon footprint - that's right everyone has one! But it all depends on your size you know - or do you?

Put as simply as possible your carbon footprint is the amount of green house gases that you produce measured in units of carbon dioxide (co2).
Although primarily released by use of the various fossil fuels the growing demand for transport, energy and man-made products has caused significant increases in green house gases with a staggering 80% of the emmissions from industrialised countries being carbon dioxide.

Emissions are generated by daily human activity at all levels ~ not just by that big factory place either up the road or in that specific country. For example each time you turn on the kettle or start your car you enlarge your carbon footprint i.e. add to your emmissions.

There are two parts to your own carbon footprint.
The direct footprint is a measure of co2 emmissions that include domestic energy consumption and transportation eg car and plane.
The indirect footprint which are emissions brought about by your use of products ie connected to their manufacture, distribution and breakdown, often this is referred to as the lifecycle of products.

What can you do about your carbon footprint?
Well, hopefully you will see some sense and want to do something about decreasing the size of your footprint and whilst you are about it will probably notice that you can also save some money in doing so. There are two main options to reduce your footprint. Take steps to decrease your emmissions and offset emmissions.

You can decrease the green house gases you produce by taking a sustainable approach throughout your normal daily activities. Give thought to where the products you buy come from, what they are made of and how long they will last. Instead of taking the car why not try public transport or even better just walk.
To offset your carbon footprint you would provide for some carbon dioxide to either be taken out of the atmosphere or reduced elsewhere. For example invest in renewable or sustainable energies or Join a scheme that will plant trees - trees have the capability to use co2 but return oxygen to the atmosphere.
(debate continues over how worthwhile offsetting is as opposed to carbon reduction)

Carbon Footprint calculators
These can give you an idea of the size of your footprint

Act On Co2	Carbon uk Calculator
Carbonfootprint.com	Carbonneutral.com

(debate continues over how worthwhile offsetting is as opposed to carbon reduction)