Oftentimes, people wonder if money can buy happiness. While this may be true in some cases, using money to buy higher quantities of various items unfortunately contributes to a larger carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, produced to support human activities. Differences in carbon footprint are caused by differences in purchases. For example, those who are high-income generally have larger carbon footprints as they make more purchases and travel more frequently by plane and by car, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions. Each item we purchase releases gas emissions during production, transport, and use. To reduce our carbon footprints, we can buy less stuff. This includes choosing to not buy extra shoes or cars, borrowing appliances when possible, cutting down on airplane trips, taking public transportation, and eating locally produced fruits and vegetables. It is up to all of us to decrease our carbon footprints and save our planet!