From what I’ve seen, when buying the latest technology, the environmental impact of our actions is rarely the first thing to pop into peoples’ minds.  But, as the carbon calculator shows, these purchases can add up to a much bigger picture, one that affects the whole planet.  A problem that some people may face when trying to have a smaller carbon footprint is differentiating between what is a necessity and what is a luxury.  While many things that we buy are useful, we don’t necessarily need them to live our lives, and then there are the products we purchase purely for entertainment.  Telling the difference can be difficult, seeing as humans use so much technology without even thinking about it.  In order to live our best lives while still trying to reduce our footprint, it’s important to find a balance in which we can both enjoy life and not go overboard with unnecessary shopping trips that can harm the environment.