What is a Carbon Footprint? Click here for a summary and pie chart as to sources of CO2 emissions. Using the Low Carbon Diet Footprint Calculator. You may want to know how much carbon your household creates now, before you start reducing. This will help you to get to your goal and to feel proud of what you are about to achieve. There is a carbon footprint calculator that has been designed to accompany the Low Carbon Diet. To fill it out accurately, you will need to have available: · your last few payment statements from your electricity, natural gas and/or heating oil providers. · the average weekly or annual miles driven in each of your household’s cars. · the miles per gallon that each of your household's cars gets. (If you need help calculating this, see page 17 of the Low Carbon Diet workbook.) · the number of airplane miles traveled per year. Help is available on the calculator to estimate this.
You can find the carbon footprint calculator mentioned in the book on the Low Carbon Diet website (http://www.empowermentinstitute.net/calculator). Tab through the calculator to add data. Remember to print out a copy for your records.
Different Carbon Calculators. There are hundreds of online climate and energy calculators. Each takes a slightly different approach. Some include air travel, others don’t. Some focus on home energy use, others include a wide variety of actions that affect energy use. Some are educational and take a long time to complete, whereas others can be completed very quickly but don't provide as much information. Each uses different formulas and assumptions, so you may find that your estimated footprint varies widely depending on the site. The most important thing is to establish a baseline and begin your carbon emissions reductions. If you are passionate about further exploring carbon footprint calculators, below is a selection of what's available to you.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Individual Calculator
Alliance to Save Energy – Home Energy Checklist
New Hampshire Carbon Challenge
Zerofootprint Calculators ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick |
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Carbon Footprint |