When it comes to energy consumption and conservation, much ado has been made over an individual’s “carbon footprint.” This buzz term has been all over the newspapers, television and even in popular magazines.
What does it mean exactly? The term “carbon footprint” is best defined as the amount of impact that a person and his/her activities have on the environment when that impact is based on the level of greenhouse gases that are produced. That level is measured in carbon dioxide units. There are a number of methods by which a person can calculate his or her carbon footprint: the Life Cycle Assessment, and by the amount of emissions caused by the energy a system uses are the most popular.
The truth is that just about everything a person does can contribute to his or her carbon footprint. The real truth is that even breathing can increase a person’s carbon footprint as the act of human respiration puts more carbon dioxide into the environment!
Asking the residents of the United Kingdom to breathe less is ridiculous so residents would do well to remember that a carbon footprint is actually assigned by his actions: driving his automobile, cooking a meal, the amount of energy consumed while at home, at work and in transit. The amount of carbon even a lazy day can produce is eye opening.
Carbon footprints have become more important over the last few years because the globe’s climate has changed quite dramatically. Environmental experts have released reports that state that human beings are directly responsible for the increase in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases that have helped to raise the world’s temperature. The world’s temperature rose by .6 degrees Celsius in the last one hundred years. .6 does not sound like a huge amount but it has had a large impact. The North Pole is breaking apart as you read this. Syria has more freshwater available than the United Kingdom.
The world’s temperature has raised more than half a degree Celsius over the last century. Half a degree sounds small but that half a degree has had an incredible effect. The North Pole almost melted completely this year and the United Kingdom might run out of fresh water within the next few decades.
Another great way to reduce the amount of carbon emissions into the atmosphere is to plant some trees! Trees take in CO2 and expel oxygen. While you cut back on your carbon output, you should increase the amount of carbon converters as well!
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about boilers, central heating, plumber Swansea, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
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