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 >
Who needs all that CO₂?
As I began my calculation for my own carbon footprint, I assumed most of my results would be average to another human. My results were somewhat average, except for my transportation. My home value was near the average mark, but my transportation on the other-hand was far from the suggested value. My family enjoys traveling throughout the states during the year. We try to cut back on the plane trips as much as possible. I have now considered suggesting the use of a public train when we travel between two close states. Another way I could limit the amount of traveling would be to carpool with a few other people to and from school. As for my house, I now strive to cut back on how many lights I use in a room, recycle paper, plastics, and glass, turn off electronics after I use them, and also choose more locally and organic foods.