Students from around the world calculated their class mean and standard deviations for their footprints and posted them on our world map.
Do you see differences across the globe? If so, why do you think those differences exist?
Did you use the calculator to try to reduce your footprint down to the average from a citizen of another country? What changes would you have to make to lower your footprint in this way? Are you going to try and take some of these actions in your daily life?
Student Footprints >
How can students feel empowered to make a change?
Once you have looked at the results of your carbon footprint, there is a tendency to throw in the towel and realize you are single-handedly destroying the planet. But what can you do with all this information on your personal contribution to the world-wide crisis? A lot of the time I feel like kids and teens always say that they are unable to make a change now because they are too young; the job of changing the world today falls on only adults. To be fair this is not wrong for the most part. In our world adults are in charge and that makes sense to us. However, their power can diminish the voice of children and teens and turn an achievable goal into a distant dream. Climate change is something that is undeniably happening, despite many efforts of disbelief. Clearly through education of the general public, this issue have and will continue to pervade general public perception about the consequences of high pollution levels but how can we empower the younger generations to take part now? The solution to climate change is a global effort. An effort that I think not only involves those across countries and continents but also between ages and generations. Any ideas for beyond the classroom?
There are definitely things the kids can do outside the classroom that will make a difference on their carbon footprint. Whether it is asking to carpool with their friends, taking quicker showers, or opening up windows on a hot day, kids can make a huge impact. They can also make an even bigger impact on co2 pollution if they spread the word. The kids can even record how adjusting certain habits affect their footprints.
Personally, I'm trying to integrate small changes into my life and my family's lives. I feel empowered to make a change because I know the impact I have and I know there are seemingly insignificant things that will help reduce my carbon footprint. As the above commenter said, spreading the word is also a great way to make a change. This job should be shared by everyone on this planet, not just adults. There are lots of ways to get involved!