Carbon footprints are the total amount of greenhouse gases, produced to directly and indirectly support human actions, and activities. Usually a carbon foot print is calculated for most common used fuels for the year. Also expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2); also known to be the amounts of carbon dioxide and other compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, or group.
Keywords: carbon footprints, greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, fuels.
The Carbon footprints that are used in my daily life are collected as a whole from my family of six. During my research I have discovered that we use approximately 90 tons of carbon each year. For a family size of six in the U.S its reported that 160 tons of carbon are being used, and 33 tons of carbon worldwide for a family of six . That number is according to www.nature.org. In my opinion I think that my family fits right in the middle. I have realized that in going through the everyday life of traveling back and forth to work, and school, and grocery stores and etc. that without noticing my family is contributing to the greenhouse emissions that are causing climate change. .
According to terrpass Inc., 2014 one of the most carbon usage comes from my 2012 Nissan Armada 4WD. I drive about 15,000 miles a year, that's 1,071 gallons of gas per year. Secondly is my husband's vehicle which is his 2010 Acura TL 2WD. He drives about 10,000 a year uses 455 gallons of gas per year. Our vehicles together approximately use 30,000lbs of co2 a year for our cars alone. To save on the carbon usage for travel by both cars I decided that we could cut down the driving to one vehicle, and perhaps set up a car pool between me and other moms for my son's football team. Not to mention we have big family and not only does one of our kids have an outside activity but all four. So setting up a car pool could save about 8,000lbs of co2 a year.