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 >
Carbon Footprint (Mooresville High School, NC, US)
Hi! My name is Rachel C. and I am 17 years old. I live in Mooresville, North Carolina in the USA. My total carbon footprint was 15,154 kg, and it is about average because I have seen other averages above and below my own. My other averages were 8,211 kg for home, 3,484 kg for transportation, 2,772 kg for food, and 688 kg for purchases. For example, the North Carolina overall average is 15,918 kg. The majority of my carbon footprint came from home, because my family uses gas for some appliances that other people us electricity for. Also, my house has a lot of incandescent lightbulbs and only a few CFLs. My carbon footprint results were higher than I expected. I didn't realize how much energy I use all the time, and am surprised at how much carbon I generate individually over time. I was also surprised at how low my transportation number was compared to my home number. I expected it to be higher because it seems like I go places a lot, but on the other hand I don't have my own car to drive and have never taken a plane trip. I learned that I use more energy than I need to, and should try to do things to reduce my carbon footprint. To decrease my carbon footprint, I can recycle anything aluminum, paper, plastic, or glass that doesn't need to be thrown away. I can also make sure to turn off any lights not being used.
That is really awesome! I am glad you didn't go above the average !