Finding My Carbon Footprint

The Carbon Trust in the United Kingdom gives the definition of a carbon footprint as "the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an organization, an individual, or product such as a bike or car".

Each time you use energy created from a fossil fuel such as coal or oil you are generating carbon emissions. These emissions increase the level of greenhouse gases entering our atmosphere. Simply put your carbon footprint is created by these emissions generated from daily activities such as going to and from work, heating your home and your daily use of computers, TV's and charging mobile phones.

The products you buy will all contribute to your carbon footprint. This is because they have to be manufactured, picked and packaged and then transported to the shops where you buy them. The energy used in this process all contributes to green house gases. Try looking for local products that have not travelled far and low eco friendly packaging.

Determining your carbon footprint is measured by the quantity of greenhouse gas that you are contributing to the planet's atmosphere. This term first originated from carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is the widely identified as the main contributor to climate change today

Carbon offsetting schemes include tree planting projects, investing in solar, wind or other renewable energy or investing in growing economies with environmentally friendly crops are good ways to help offset the amount of carbon used in your daily life.

There are a number of schemes to help you offset your personal carbon emissions. These include schemes to invest in green projects that create efficient energy such as wind power, solar power, or plant new trees or invest in forestry.

Being proactive in reducing your carbon emissions can be done with the use an individual carbon calculator to determine your carbon footprint. You could get a surprise just how much carbon is creates every day, and hopefully learn a little about where you can make some real changes.

Ways to help reduce your carbon emissions can include making few trips to the shops, using electricity at off peak times, using a green energy supplier, and simply turning off the lights when not in the room can all make a difference.


Ian. R. Richardson is an expert author on renewable energy and environmental topics. For more information and news visit for the www.personalcarbon.co.uk and www.tradingpersonalcarbon.co.uk web sites.