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 >
My Carbon Footprint
My name is Maggie and my carbon footprint score was 19866. My score was larger because I participate in sports and travel often, which burns more fossil fuels. I can't stop traveling but I can try to lessen my use of water and electricity around the house.
My transportation was higher because of sports to because i play travel baseball.
My carbon footprint was also very high because I travel a lot, and like you said I cant stop traveling so i will start watching how much electricity and water were using.
many peoples carbon footprint was high because of transportation but at least theres other ways you can improve
I had a high carbon footprint also because i travel a lot around the USA
I had a High score in the category in traveling also because I
also play sports.
I totally relate to your struggle with traveling. I wish there was a way to make traveling more eco-friendly because sometimes you can't avoid it.
I would recommend using more public transportation.
Also purchasing more natural foods.
Dear Maggie and all -- have you thought about trying to keep your travel footprint low and still travel? I take the Amtrak train across the country when I can - it's a beautiful 3 day trip and it is very low carbon. If you need to use a plane, you can reduce your footprint by following these steps:
1) always look for the most direct flight. A lot of extra carbon is burned during take-offs and landings, so the more stops, the more carbon. Plus indirect flights do not follow the straightest path. It is a much shorter distance to fly straight from Atlanta to LA than to fly Atlanta to Minneapolis to LA.
2) Can you use public transport to get to the departure airport and once you arrive? For example, let's say you are flying to Europe. From Mooresville-Charlotte to Atlanta can you take a bus, then take your flight to a major city in Europe (say Frankfurt), and then travel in Europe by their excellent train system to your final destination? This approach uses A LOT less carbon than taking 3 stops on your way to your destination.
Mine was not that high but I don't travel that much. I would recommend walking if you can instead of driving.
Mine was lower but my transportation was also higher because i travel a lot too