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 >
Household Carbon Reduction
Hi my name is Amy and I live in the United States. I recently calculated my carbon footprint with my environmental science class and I was shocked and embarrassed at the results. My total carbon per year at home is 15,160 kg which is 10,000 kg more than the average in my region. Over the past few years I have made several home improvements to save energy such as : replacing all old windows with Energy Star double pane windows, caulked around all windows in the house, changed all light bulbs to LED bulbs, replaced all weather stripping around doorways and had insulation blown into the attic.
Despite all of these improvements I need to do more to reduce my carbon footprint. While searching for additional energy saving ideas, I came across a website that pointed out areas that I had not considered. Carbon footprint .com (http://www.carbonfootprint.com/minimisecfp.html ) gave me some ways to save energy immediately and some that I can work towards. I have already made some changes that were simple and easy such as, hanging clothes on the line instead of using the dry er, moving the thermostat setting from 73 degrees to 75 degrees, and unplugging an old fridge in the garage which was not in use. Some things I am going to work towards are replacing all appliances with Energy Star appliances and insulating the hot water heater tank.