Ever Wondered What your Carbon Footprint Actually Means?

The University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems defines carbon footprint as the

total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual,

organization, event or product. Our carbon footprint can have a devastating and long lasting

effect on our environment. We have started seeing the effects of this in our everyday life. The

rising of sea levels and global temperatures, increase in wildfires and floods and the melting of ice caps in the arctic. However, by reducing our carbon footprint which is generated from the greenhouse gas emissions we can effectively slow down the rates of rising global temperatures, restore balance to rising sea levels, slow down the melting of polar ice caps and prevent ocean acidification.

Knowing your carbon footprint and finding ways of reducing it is in line with the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 13, 14, and 15 that seek to approach environmental sustainability

in a holistic manner. Under SDG 7—Affordable and Clean Energy, clean and renewable energy sources are crucial as high carbon footprints mostly originate from non-renewable energy reliance. Shifting towards solar or wind power does not just reduce personal carbon footprints but also supports affordable and clean energy in general terms. Additionally, high carbon footprints are among the leading causes of global climate change pointing to SDG 13—Climate Action. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly tackles carbon footprints which serve as important tools for addressing negative impacts of climate change. Sustainable transport options, energy efficient practices, as well as advocating for emission reduction initiatives are therefore part of efforts made towards this commitment on climate actions.

Carbon footprints’ impact also affects SDG 14—Life Below Water where marine ecosystems are under threat from climatic changes. The connection between ocean acidification caused by elevated levels of carbon dioxide and increased levels of carbon footles can be established directly. Individuals can take part in this process by reducing plastic usage and supporting ocean health policies.

Understanding your carbon footprint begins with a personal audit.

There are several online calculators such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency carbon footprint calculator and the United Nations carbon offset platform carbon footprint calculator that  can help in the quantifying of ones carbon footprint.  According to the ISO 14064 standard and the guidelines established by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, emissions from three different categories (home energy, transportation and waste) are taken into account when calculating a carbon footprint. When using the online calculators, individuals are required to input the number of persons in their household, their commuting habits, travel frequency and mode of transportation, monthly energy consumption and water usage, dietary preferences and monthly expenditure on goods and services.

In order to address our carbon footprint we must tackle key areas such as: transportation, energy consumption, dietary choices and consumer habits. In the area of transportation, we can reduce our carbon footprint by making the switch from gas powered vehicles to electric vehicles. EVs emit less – often one-half to two-thirds less over their lifetime. EVs still emit less when the battery is produced in countries that rely heavily on coal. Most of a vehicle’s emissions occur during the portion of its life when it is driven and electric vehicles deliver a benefit no gas-powered car can: They eliminate tailpipe emissions. That goes a long way in improving air quality and climate goals. The amount of climate pollution generated by driving an EV depends on the mix of electricity available in the region where it’s used. For example, if EV drivers live in an area where most grid power is supplied by fossil fuels, then charging up will have a bigger climate footprint than in places where most energy comes from wind and solar(Yale Climate Connections). In addition, simple and cheaper changes such as carpooling, eco driving, biking, walking and taking public transport can also make an effective change with respect to our carbon footprint. Carpooling can also save you money on fuel costs and help reduce traffic congestion. (**EV- electric vehicles)

In the area of energy consumption, changes such as taking shorter showers, using rechargeable batteries, installing PV panels, installing solar water heaters, installing low flow showerheads, drying clothes on lines, installing low flow faucets and toilets, switching off lights when leaving a room, using LED light bulbs and installing solar panels in your home can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. LED bulbs at 451 lbs emit the least amount of CO2.while incandescent bulbs create 4,500 lbs. In a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, it was found that by replacing only one light bulb in every house in the U.S. with an LED bulb would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9 billion pounds. Just something as simple as switching one CFL light bulb to a LED light bulb can have an impact in reducing your carbon footprint. 

In the area of dietary consumption, making the switch to a plant-based diet can significantly contribute to reducing an individual's carbon footprint. Livestock, particularly cattle, produce methane during digestion, which is a potent greenhouse gas. By reducing the demand for meat, especially beef, through a plant-based diet, we can decrease the overall methane emissions associated with animal agriculture.  According to the US Food Systems Fact Sheet, livestock emitted 195 million metric tons (Mt) CO2e of methane in 2021 from enteric fermentation, 139 Mt (71%) of it from beef cattle. In an average U.S. household, eliminating the transport of food for one year could save the GHG equivalent of driving 1,000 miles, while shifting to a vegetarian meal one day a week could save the equivalent of driving 1,160 miles. 

In conclusion, understanding our carbon footprint and actively working towards its reduction is a crucial step in promoting sustainability and the sustainable development goals. 

Linkedin: Jelon Thomas

Instagram: centrist_pediatrician

Jelon Thomas, 17, Trinidad and Tobago

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