What is carbon footprint?

Carbon footprint is defined as the amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. A carbon footprint can be applied to the actions of an individual, a family, an event, an organization, or even the entire nation. It also includes direct emissions from fossil fuel combustion in manufacturing, heating, transportation, production of electricity. It is also associated with all goods and services used. The carbon footprint concept also includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases such as methane nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons(CFC's).

What are the types of carbon foot printing?
The main types of carbon footprint for organizations are:

    Organizational

v Emissions from all the activities in an organization, including the whole building’s energy usage, industrial processes and company vehicles.

    Value chain 

v Emissions which are outside an organization's own operations. This includes emissions from both suppliers and consumers.

    Product

v Emissions over the whole life of a product right from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, usage to its final reuse, recycling or disposal.

    Supply chain

v Emissions from the raw materials to the products which are purchased by an organization in order to deliver their services or supplies.

How is a carbon footprint calculated?

While calculating the carbon footprint, a lot of factors have to be taken into consideration.

For example – A grocery store.

Driving to the grocery store burns a certain amount of fuel (which is a fossil fuel), and fossil fuels are the primary sources of greenhouses gases. But that grocery store is powered by electricity, and its employees probably drove to work, so the store has its own carbon footprint. In addition to this, all the products that the store sells were all shipped there, so that must also be factored into the total carbon footprint. Beyond that, the fruits, vegetables, and meats that the store sells were all grown or raised on farms, a process that produces methane, which has a greenhouse effect 25 times greater than CO2. All of those elements must be combined to understand the full carbon footprint of a given activity.

How can you calculate your own carbon footprint?

• Calculating an individual’s carbon footprint is not that easy. There are some online calculators which can help in giving you a rough estimate of your carbon footprint based on the size of your household, the efficiency of your appliances, how much you drive, what you eat, and how much you recycle.
•  Fossil fuel use and electricity consumption play a major role in your carbon footprint.
•  This way of calculation of your carbon footprint is not perfect, but it is a good way to measure your activities so you can get and idea and it will help you to understand better how much CO₂ they emit and help you to take the required steps to reduce your carbon footprint effectively.

How can you reduce the amount of carbon footprint?

Food

1. Eat low on the food chain.
2. Choose organic and local foods that are in season.
3. Transporting food from far away by road, rail, ship or air, uses fossil fuels for fuel and to cool foods to keep from spoiling.
4. Use your own reusable container while buying food.
5. Reduce your food waste and reusing leftovers.
6. Compost your food waste if possible.  

    Clothing    

              

1.       . Don’t buy fast fashion.
2.          Buy vintage or recycled clothing.
3.          Wash your clothing in cold water.

 Shopping

1. Buy less stuff! And buy used or recycled items whenever possible.
2. Take your own reusable bags when you go to the shop.
3. If you are looking for a new computer, opt for a laptop instead of a desktop. Laptops require less energy to charge and operate than desktops.
4.  While buying appliances like lighting, office equipment or electronics, look for Energy Star products. They  are certified to be more energy efficient.
5. Support and buy from companies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable.

 Home

1. Do a calculation of the emission of carbon footprint your home. This will show how you use or waste energy and help identify ways to be more energy efficient.
2. Change your light bulbs to incandescent light bulbs.
3.  Switch lights off when you leave the room.
4.  Unplug your electronic devices when they are not in use.
5.  Turn your water heater down to 120˚F. This can save about 550 pounds of CO2 a year.
6. Install a low-flow shower head to reduce hot water use, this can save 350 pounds of CO2. Taking shorter showers can help too.

 Transportation

1. Drive less. 
2. Walk, take public transportation, carpool, share a ride or bike to your destination when possible. This not only reduces CO2 emissions, it also lessens traffic congestion and the idling of engines that accompanies it.
3. If you have to drive, avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration. 
4. Take care of your car. 
5.  While doing errands, try to combine them to reduce your driving.
6. Use less air conditioning while you drive, even when the weather is hot.
7.  If you are planning to buy a new car, consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle.

GO GREEN!