How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint?

What is a carbon footprint and what does it matter how big it is?  Well, your carbon footprint is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide and methane, two greenhouse gases, are produced by all of the actions a person does.  The estimate of a carbon footprint also includes all of the objects that a person buys that require carbon to make and ship. So if I take a trip on a plane, carbon dioxide is produced by the burning if the fuel.  If I buy a new toaster, carbon dioxide is generated to gather the raw materials, ship them to a factory, make the toaster, send the toaster to a store, and to take it home.

Does size matter?  Yes it does and the larger the footprint, the larger the problem is.  There are many ways to shrink your carbon footprint, but first you should find out about how large it is.

Try one of the online calculators below.

Nature.org highlights areas such as home energy.  It also includes the world and U.S. averages.

The EPA also has a carbon footprint calculator.  Make sure you have an electricity and heating bill handy since they ask for an estimate of your monthly heating and electricity usage.  They also provide a list of suggestions to decrease your carbon emissions.  

The Oregon Carbon Calculator shows how you compare to similar households.  It also suggests ways that you can improve your carbon footprint.

Once you've estimated your carbon footprint, it's time to take action.  The actions you take and the purchases you make have an effect on the health of the planet.