| Plants release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. | | | | constantly calculate and monitor ones' carbon |
| Unfortunately, there are not enough plants in the | | | | footprint. This is the initial step to one's personal |
| environment and things that produce more carbon | | | | contribution in stopping global warming. |
| dioxide are increasing. | | | | Offsetting Carbon Footprints |
| Excess carbon dioxide becomes part of the | | | | With the measurement in place, how then can a |
| greenhouse gases. Any gas that traps heat into the | | | | person counteract carbon dioxide production? |
| earth's atmosphere is called a greenhouse gas. This | | | | Preserving forests and tree planting in specific |
| entrapment of hot air above the earth that | | | | locations can effectively offset carbon footprints. |
| contributes to global warming is called the greenhouse | | | | Forests absorb greenhouse gases from the |
| effect. | | | | atmosphere and help make the planet cool. Tropical |
| Getting to Know Carbon Footprints | | | | forests help evaporate water and bring about |
| The amount of greenhouse gases expressed in | | | | cloudiness. They are effective cooling agents for the |
| parallel tons of carbon dioxide produced by human | | | | Earth. |
| activities is called a 'carbon footprint'. A carbon | | | | Decreasing the amount of trash one produces can |
| footprint is simply a measure of the total amount of | | | | lower the carbon footprints. Plastic, glass and |
| carbon dioxide induced by a person's activities within | | | | aluminum cans should be properly recycled. Avoid |
| a span of one year. | | | | unnecessary and excessive use of paper items. Read |
| Other greenhouse gases, like ozone and methane, | | | | literature and news online or at the library. Learn how |
| are properly assessed for carbon footprint measure. | | | | to recycle food wastes like fruit peelings and |
| This is done by converting them into parallel amounts | | | | vegetable clippings by composting. |
| of carbon dioxide causing similar effects on global | | | | Avoid using plastic bags when buying groceries. Bring |
| warming | | | | along cloth bags and some extra bags to distribute to |
| Factors that Increase Carbon Footprints | | | | strangers. Remember that change begins with one's |
| Almost every physical activity carried out by people | | | | self. You can always influence others afterwards. |
| stimulates this release of carbon dioxide. Activities as | | | | There are other practical things to do to help lower |
| common as driving, shopping and riding an airplane | | | | carbon footprints.o Use compact fluorescent bulbs.o |
| increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the | | | | Replace home appliances that consume so much |
| atmosphere. This happens whenever fuels are burned | | | | electricity. The Department of Energy and the |
| to support a human activity. | | | | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) run a |
| For example, whenever one drives a car, the car | | | | program called the Energy Star, which recognizes |
| engine burns fuel thereby producing carbon dioxide. | | | | appliances which are more energy-efficient. Buy those |
| The amount produced depends on the distance and | | | | which have been given the Energy Star approval.o |
| the fuel consumption. | | | | Washing dishes in the dishwasher saves a lot more |
| Heating the house with coal, gas or oil also generates | | | | water than washing them by hand.o Minimize driving |
| carbon dioxide. Heating using electricity may also emit | | | | by organizing car pools.o Constantly improve general |
| some amounts of carbon dioxide. Emissions of carbon | | | | insulation, the cooling and heating systems of one's |
| dioxide are best calculated if based on fuel | | | | home. |
| consumption. | | | | Technology has developed a way to recognize and |
| Simply put, the carbon footprint is a powerful means | | | | measure the environmental foe. It should be used |
| to understand the impact of people's behavior on the | | | | wisely for its specific purpose - saving the Earth. |
| increase of global temperature. It is essential to | | | | |