Energy Consumption and Conservation

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

This graphic illustrates a carbon footprint.

Now that you have learned what a carbon footprint is, see if you can calculate your carbon footprint.

Use the following website to calculate how much carbon dioxide your family releases into the atmosphere every year. Begin by selecting the number of people in your home, and then click "For My Household." Proceed by clicking on the tabs for each category: Home Energy, Driving & Flying, Food & Diet and Recycling & Waste. Once you have finished the last category, Recycling & Waste, look at the Carbon Footprint Calculator on the right of the screen, and you will see a summary of the amount of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for each category. Record this information on page 4 in your Engineering Portfolio.

> Carbon Footprint Calculator
(from the Nature Conservancy)