A trend has been emerging in the UK in which talk of energy conservation inevitably turns to an individual’s “carbon footprint.” The news, radio, television, magazines and internet have all been sources of “carbon footprint” mania.
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!
Rest assured that nobody is going to figure in your rate of respiration into your carbon footprint. Doing so would be absurd. Instead your carbon footprint is calculated based on the things you actually do and use. When you drive to the shop or cook food, you produce carbon dioxide. The amount of energy you consume as a person, in your house, at your workplace and in transit will all be figured in to your carbon footprint. Be prepared for a large number-people produce an astounding amount of carbon dioxide each day.
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 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
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