What Is A Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.
The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint and the secondary footprint -
1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). We have direct control of these.
2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

Good topic. Please also share - how to reduce carbon footprint?

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Originally Posted by Matrix

Good topic. Please also share - how to reduce carbon footprint?

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Here's a list of simple things you can do immediately -

1. Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. ...)
2. Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C). Just 1 degree will help reduce your heating bill by about 8%.
3. Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
4. Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work
5. Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder
6. Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
7. Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
8. Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it

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4. Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work

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Above point is more for European countries.