How can you calculate your carbon footprint? The traditional method of calculating your carbon footprint is called a lifecycle assessment. This method measures
an estimated amount of greenhouse gas emissions based on all activities of a person’s lifecycle. While there are multiple ways to calculate carbon footprints, all methods are only estimates, as it is hard to determine exact amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
There are many online carbon footprint calculators that make it easy for people to obtain a rough estimate of their carbon footprint based on the information they provide the calculator about their lifestyle. Many calculators also offer suggestions on how to reduce one’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is a good way to measure your activities to understand approximately how much greenhouse gas you may generate and take steps to reduce your unique carbon footprint.
Why should you reduce your carbon footprint?
The Global Footprint Network has calculated that based on how much of the Earth’s resources we consume every year, it would take 1.5 Earths to support our current resource consumption. Our increasing carbon footprint is having a profound negative impact on the Earth. From rising sea levels that can destroy ecosystems to shifting precipitation patterns that impact the growing patterns of plants, the Earth is changing drastically. Human activity has led to a 0.8 degree increase in the average global temperature which resulted in 16 out of the 17 warmest years to be recorded since 2001. According to NASA, polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate of 9% per decade. The thickness of the Arctic ice has decreased by 40% since the 1960s. Rainforests once covered 14% of the Earth’s land surface; now it is only 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.
As our carbon footprints increase, the Earth suffers more. According to scientists, the world must hit a net zero of greenhouse gas emissions before 2040, otherwise, global warming will spiral out of control. Now is the time to change your habits and work towards making the world a more sustainable place to live. It is never too late to make a difference in the preservation of the Earth.
How can you reduce your carbon footprint? After learning what your carbon footprint is, the next step should be striving to reduce your carbon footprint. There
are many things that people and even companies can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Some simple changes that you can incorporate into your life include: driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, reducing the amount of water used, using energy-efficient appliances, properly insulating your home to reduce heating and air conditioning costs, consuming food that doesn’t require as much transportation and eating more fruits and vegetables rather than meat. A few other ways to minimize your carbon footprint are:
Recycle R
Finding ways to recycle more or reuse products multiple times is a great way to incorporate sustainable activities into your everyday life. Community associations should strive to recycle as much as possible and divert waste away from landfills. Associations may wish to consider if contracted waste haulers own or operate landfills, and choose vendors that find alternative diversion methods to provide sustainable services to customers.
48 | COMMON INTEREST® Compost
C A
Approximately 20% of what is taken to landfills is food. While food sits in landfills to decompose, greenhouse gases are emitted. Minimizing the amount of food taken to landfills can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A great way to lessen the amount of food sent to landfills is by composting. With composting, you can convert food and yard waste into high-grade fertilizer. This process gives waste, which would otherwise be taken to landfills, a second life. Composting can divert as much as 30% of yard and food waste away from landfills, which can dramatically impact the amount of carbon you produce in your life. Additionally, partner with a company with an aerobic digester, which will take food scrap and create a nutrient-rich fertilizer without creating harmful methane gas.
A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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