I never really paid any attention to the impact I was leaving on the Earth. I always thought “Oh, someone else will take care of it” or “It’s not my problem”. But after calculating my carbon footprint I realized my usage of carbon is a problem that I need to fix, immediately. I have an excessive use of technology and electricity, according to my carbon footprint results. To correct this issue I am unplugging my charging devices once they are fully charged, turning off my fan when I leave the room, and turning off the air conditioner or heater when I leave my house. I am excited about this discussion because I hope it can expose me to what more I can do to save the Earth and reduce my carbon footprint.

Aysha, from California

Dear Aysha, that is so great that looking at your impact has inspired you to act!

I agree with you. After I took my test I got a horrible score and I didn't think my carbon footprint was going to be bad but it was. There is so many little things that everyone can do to lower their carbon footprint. I think more people need to take their carbon footprint test so they can see the things they can change in their life to help the environment.

I agree, before doing this challenge I didn't even know what carbon was and how it affected our environment.  I think that everyone should do this challenge and see what parts of their life they could change to help keep our environment safe and livable for future generations. What I can do to contribute is to not see both sides of my family every year because I noticed that the 4 flights I took really boosted my carbon footprint. Another category I realized was electricity, to correct this I am going to turn all the lights off when I leave the room and not use the AC or heater all the time by opening windows or using blankets, until the point where the AC and heater are absolutely necessary.

I think that it is a great idea that everyone should complete the challenge! I believe it will bring awareness to non-believers that global warming and a large carbon footprint is impacting our Earth in a negative way.

You're totally right! I don't think a lot of people do realize what they're putting out into the Earth's atmosphere. I'm glad that people are understanding and trying to help conserve what we have left.

I agree with you completely, before we started researching these things in science class, I had no idea that every small thing that I do every single day can make a large impact on the world. I think about it and while I walk with friends to throw away trash I don't stop and watch what I throw into which specific trashcan. Which is a habit, and one that I will do whatever I can to break it.

I agree, like i used to think the same way like as if it weren't my problem either and knowing/thinking one day someone will fix this. But after i calculated this stuff i was shocked. My transportation and home were high but my total income average  was below average. But i never knew that doing these small things can make a big impact on the world

I had the same thought process as you did, originally I thought I was doing better than I thought so I never really tried to help always put it off as it was someone else job to help