The Native Crowd

How many times have I heard people say to me quietly; “I kind of know what a carbon footprint is, but I couldn’t tell you exactly how it’s calculated”. Well let’s go through the basics, shall we? I find it a great way to really get a handle on our impact, both personally and professionally.

What is a carbon footprint?

Your carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly carbon dioxide) that are generated by an individual, organization, or product over a given period of time. It’s expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) that are released into the atmosphere.

How is it calculated?

Carbon footprints are typically calculated by analysing the energy consumption patterns and other activities that produce greenhouse gas emissions, such as transportation, manufacturing, and waste disposal. This data is then converted into an equivalent amount of CO2e, based on the greenhouse gas’s global warming potential.

Individuals and organizations can use their carbon footprint as a tool to assess their environmental impact and identify areas where they can reduce their emissions. Strategies for reducing carbon footprints may include energy efficiency improvements, the use of renewable energy sources, and changes in behaviour and lifestyle choices.

Why is my footprint important?

There’s a whole heap of reasons you should consider your carbon footprint, but these are the main ones:

1. Climate change: Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted from human activities, such as transportation, energy use, and deforestation, contribute to climate change. Climate change can cause extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, and damage to natural habitats and biodiversity.
2. Environmental impact: Your carbon footprint is not just about climate change. It also encompasses other environmental impacts such as air pollution, water pollution, and soil degradation. By reducing your carbon footprint, you can help to minimize these environmental impacts.
3. Personal health: Some of the things that contribute to your carbon footprint, such as driving a car or eating a lot of meat, can also have negative impacts on your personal health. By making changes to reduce your carbon footprint, you can improve your own health and well-being.
4. Social responsibility: As a global citizen, it’s important to take responsibility for your impact on the planet. By reducing your carbon footprint, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and inspire others to do the same.

Reducing your carbon footprint is important for the health of the planet and all its inhabitants, including humans. By making changes to reduce your carbon footprint, you can help to protect the environment, improve your own health, and be a responsible global citizen.

Sustainability is one of the key areas I work in. I’m certified as Carbon Literate and I’m a Certified Carbon Literacy Facilitator. I bring a wealth of experience in industry to this topic. So, if you want to make a difference or would like more information about the services I offer on the subject of sustainability, here are my sustainability services.