What Is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), that a person, product, or activity releases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to climate change. Almost everything we do—driving a car, using electricity, eating food, or even buying clothes—adds to our carbon footprint.
For example, when you eat a burger, carbon is released from raising the cows, transporting the meat, and cooking it. The same goes for using a smartphone, which requires energy to make, charge, and use. Even streaming videos online has a footprint because it requires massive data centers running on electricity.
Plastic has a big carbon footprint because it’s made from fossil fuels like oil and gas. Making just 1 kg of plastic releases 2.5 to 6 kg of CO₂. Transporting, using, and throwing it away adds even more pollution. Reducing plastic use helps protect the planet from climate change!
Reducing your carbon footprint means making choices that create less pollution, like walking instead of driving, eating less meat, recycling, and using renewable energy. Every small change helps slow down climate change. Your choices today can make a big impact on the future of our planet!
If you would like to measure your carbon footprint there are some great sites to do so.
We like the one from WWF Australia – check it out!
https://wwf.org.au/get-involved/ecological-footprint-calculatorhttps://wwf.org.au/get-involved/ecological-footprint-calculator
Here is another good one from the Nature Conservancy
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator
Think about what changes you would like to make in your life and share your pledge with us on Saturday!
The Church of the Holy Spirit, Hazendal held an eco-audit - to measure their use of electricity and water. They mended leaks and changed their light bulbs