Whats Your Carbon footprint

What is a Carbon footprint

According to the Carbon Trust a carbon footprint is:

The total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an [individual, event, organisation, product] expressed as CO2e.

How Can I Calculate My Carbon Footprint

Simple, just use this nifty little tool below that we have found at CarbonFootprint.com. Enter in your details and it does all of the work for you.

Now What?

Now that you know your footprint you can look to do something about it. You can try to reduce your footprint by simply reducing things you know that contribute! Walk to the shops next week, turn down the heating one notch or even turn the tv off standby. This is known as carbon dieting and it is the easiest way to take action

Another option is Carbon Offsetting, though this is a bit more of a contraversial one. Carbon offsetting is a system where by one carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. So you would calculate your emmissions and then offset the equivilant through various schemes. These might include investing in alternate energy sources, carbon sinks - things such as reforestation and soil improvement, increasing energy efficiency and reduction in industrial pollutants.

Where Can I Find Out More?

There are many sites out there dedicated to all things carbon so heres just a few.
The Carbon Trust
Carbon Footprint
WWF Footprint Calculator
Carbon Neutral