When I calculated my carbon footprint on the website, my result was a lot lower than I had expected. I'm currently living with 6 people in my house, so I expected my footprint to be higher than usual due to the amount of energy that everybody uses. However, this was not the result I received. My biggest downfall would have to be transportation. Between traveling to and from school then to and from sports or extra-curricular activities, my carbon usage in transportation was a bit closer to average. I also travel a lot to see family out of town which adds to the majority of my carbon footprint. So, would it be better for the environment to fly to my destination, or to drive? According to Yale Climate Connections, not only do airplanes produce ample amounts of carbon dioxide during a flight, they also give off substantial amounts of "black carbon, nitrous oxide and sulphur oxide"(Yaleclimateconnections.org). Airplanes have immediate negative affects on the atmosphere. However, most people normally drive with no passengers. According to Michael Sivak of the University of Mic higan Transportation Research Institute, "The result is that associated energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions are very high, making air travel look like a comparatively sound alternative" (Yaleclimateconnections.org). So according to this research, as long as you're traveling with multiple passengers in your car, it is better for the environment to take a trip by vehicle than it is by plane.
Source: http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2 … s-driving/

I had a lot higher and i only have 3 people living in my house. My biggest downfall would also be transportation, mostly because of one major trip.

I am impressed that your carbon footprint is below average, even with 6 people in your house! I only have 3, and my family footprint was about average, except for transportation which is above average. My family and I travel by plane a lot, especially to go tour college campuses and for me, going on research trips with my school. Obviously in some cases, flying is unavoidable, like flying over seas. However, in many cases for me, I could have easily taken a 6 hour car trip with my family instead of taking at hour and a half plane ride. A lot of the times people say that flying really cuts down travel time, but with the amount of time spent checking bags in, going through security, even getting to the airport, there really isn't that big of a difference between flying and driving. Overall, I think that is important for people to just be aware of how their traveling affects the environment, even if traveling is something they have to do, possibly for work. For me, s eeing that my transportation is above average inspires to cut down the amount of flying I do and to be more conscious about the carbon emissions I releases through transportation.