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 >
Higher than average
My total carbon footprint was 14,500 lbs of CO2, about 5,000 more than the national average. Most of my carbon emissions came from transportation and food (6,000 and 4,000 pounds respectively). While driving a car contributed to my carbon emissions, it was actually the annual trips to Hawaii via airplane that had a huge impact. Eating meat was also a main contributor. Ultimately, turning off the lights and recycling is not enough to reduce carbon emissions; I need to take fewer plane rides and eat less meat.