The Carbon Footprint Analysis measures the impact of individual lifestyles on the environment. The calculation is generally limited to the amount of energy a person uses in daily life, and to the quantity of material goods consumed. The output of the Carbon Footprint calculation is generally expressed in equivalent kg of CO2 (CO2e).
• Choose 1 Carbon Footprint Calculator from each column in the table below.
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Tons CO2 / Year
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lbs CO2 / year
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# of Earths
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CoolClimate Network
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EPA
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Global Footprint Network
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Carbon Independent
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TerraPass
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Ecological Footprint
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The Nature Conservatory
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PG&E
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World Wildlife Fund (UK)
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Conservation International
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American Forests
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World Wildlife Fund
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Carbon Footprint TM
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UniSource Energy Services
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• Calculate your carbon footprint at each site and record the answer in a table format (you may want to answer the question based on your family rather than on the way that you are living as a student).Record the calculator name and your results. Additionally, provide a description of how your carbon footprint was calculated.
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Calculator Name
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Footprint Results
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Description / Example Questions
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• In a min. 1-page paper, compare and contrast the 3 calculators you used.
o Do you think the questions that were asked were valid?
o Do you think that the result is a fair and adequate representation of your lifestyle?
o What would change in the calculators to make the answer more realistic?
o Is this website pushing a particular point of view?
o Based on the results of the calculations and from your own personal knowledge, what one or two things could you do to reduce your carbon footprint?
• Choose the calculator that you thought was the most accurate and adjust your answers so your footprint is reduced by at least 25%. Is this something that you can realistically do? Explain.