What Is Carbon Footprint?
Carbon footprint refers to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product.
It is expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e.
The emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) occurs through human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transportation, waste disposal, producing concrete, and deforestation.
Why Does It Matter?
Humanity's carbon footprint has increased several times throughout the years.
The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased rapidly, causing an increase in global temperature that leads to climate change.Currently, about 36.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year are emitted globally.
In 2020, the United States ranked as the second largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. It accounted for 4,713 million metric tons of the missions produced that year. China was the highest, with 10,668 million metric tons in consumption.
Records indicate that 2016 was the warmest year, with 2020 following it, based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.
These alarming figures emphasize the importance of reducing carbon footprints to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Measuring carbon footprint will help identify hotspots and areas of improvement where mitigation actions can be focused.
How Is Carbon Footprint Measured?
An estimate of total greenhouse gas emission is expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent, or CO2e.
Carbon dioxide equivalent pertains to the number of metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions with the same global warming effect as a given volume of another greenhouse gas.
It is commonly expressed as million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MMTCDE). It is derived by multiplying the number of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by the global warming potential (GWP) of the greenhouse gas in question.
Effects of Carbon Footprint
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, greenhouse gas emissions in the country reached 6,347.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1990 to 2021.
The most prevalent of these gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
Climate Change
Carbon footprints ultimately cause climate change because the emission of greenhouse gases leads to an increase in global temperature.
Climate change became visible through the rise in global temperature over the past century. It has changed rainfall patterns, increased extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, and melted polar ice.
Depletion of Resources
Carbon footprints deplete resources because they result in the consumption of fossil fuels for electricity generation, petroleum-based transportation fuels, and heating oil.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
At the Polls
Vote and Advocate
Voting and speaking to politicians about climate change are ways to reduce carbon footprint through local, national, and global elections.
Vote for public officials who support greenhouse gas emission reduction and support environmental initiatives, such as the renewable energy policy.
Advocacy is the act of using one's right to speak out about a crucial issue. Join local climate marches and write to representatives about environmental concerns.
Spread the word about carbon footprints to lessen individual carbon footprints and to raise awareness about climate change.
At Home
The home is a significant source of emissions, which is why household actions in solving climate change are so important.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Devices
Conserving energy has a two-fold effect. It decreases the human impact on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saves money in the long run.
Replace old and inefficient appliances with newer ones that have earned the Energy Star label for being cost-efficient.
Switch from incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient LED light bulbs for more efficiency in the home.
Limit Water Usage
While the Earth largely consists of water, only a small percentage of its water is available for human use. The rest is in salty oceans or frozen ice caps.
According to the U.S. EPA, the average American family consumes more than 300 gallons of water per day at home.
Limiting water usage will lessen the energy needed to pump, treat, and heat water, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Change Your Diet
The carbon footprint of a diet includes everything from farm to fork.
Meatless diets have a smaller carbon footprint than diets that include meat. This is because livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions via methane production in livestock digestion and manure management.
Plant-based diets require fewer resources because they do not rely on factory farming or heavily processed meats with resource-intensive production methods.
At Work
Numerous companies have made strides to become more environmentally responsible by implementing policies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Cycle or Use Public Transportation
Biking and using public transportation, such as buses and trains, contribute to a smaller carbon footprint than driving an automobile.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing carbon footprint means using fewer resources.
Reusing products reduces the need for new products. Recycling ensures that already-produced materials go back into a cycle of reuse.
Switch Off Lights and Computers When Not In Use
Turning off your office's computers, lights, or any other appliances when not in use will reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
Additionally, it lessens costs and saves money on your utility bill.
The Bottom Line
Carbon footprint refers to the number of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by the global warming potential (GWP) of the greenhouse gas in question.
The ill effects of carbon emissions on the environment are well-known, and it is now more important than ever to take measures to reduce our carbon footprints.
People can do many things to help in the fight against climate change. Advocating for a green lifestyle, voting for officials who support environmentally-conscious policies, and making changes in daily habits all reduce carbon footprints.
Moreover, businesses and other organizations should take measures to become more environmentally responsible by implementing policies and programs that aim to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The government, as well, can take part by enacting laws and regulations that will limit emissions from certain industrial sectors.
We all have a responsibility to take care of our planet, and reducing our carbon footprints is a suitable place to start.
FAQs
1. What is the relationship between carbon footprint and climate change?
Carbon footprint pertains to the greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, organization, product, or process. When carbon dioxide, alongside other greenhouse gases, is trapped in the atmosphere, it absorbs heat that radiates from Earth and contributes to climate change.
2. What are carbon offsetting practices?
Offsetting refers to an act or process that balances out or compensates for the emission of one pollutant by releasing another pollutant into the atmosphere. For example, planting trees can be used to offset carbon dioxide emissions by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis.
3. How do I show my advocacy to reduce my carbon footprint?
Making changes to one's lifestyle and advocating for policies that promote eco-friendly and sustainable practices affect how much carbon dioxide goes into the atmosphere. Voting for officials backed by environmental advocacy organizations, buying energy-efficient appliances, recycling, and using public transportation contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
4. What does global warming potential mean?
Global warming potential measures how much energy the emission of one ton of a gas will absorb over a given period relative to carbon dioxide. The GWP calculates the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and the impact on climate change via the greenhouse effect.
5. What are some U.S. government programs that support the reduction of carbon footprint?
These programs include the U.S. EPA's Energy Star Program and Combined Heat and Power Partnership. The U.S. Department of Energy also has programs like the Buildings Performance Database (BPD), and Standard Energy Efficiency Data (SEED).
