Many people don’t know any single data about carbon footprint, or even what it is about. And much more people, unfortunately, don’t care about their wastes in the earth. In this essay I’m going to cover as much as I can about carbon footprint and the possible methods to reduce my output wastes, how to measure ones carbon dioxide waste, and then compare it to others.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change (Reducing your impact, 2009). The person can calculate his carbon dioxide waste by using different websites that help determine carbon footprints. These sites ask you some regular questions regarding to your normal lifestyle in food, transportation, home, and usual stuff you generally use in your daily life like electricity, wood, fuel, etc. However, after answering these questions they calculate how much of the planet's resources you use per year, and converts this to the amount of land needed to provide the resources and assimilate your waste in tons per year.
However, I and my colleague Yaser measured our carbon dioxide waste in two different websites. These sites show how much we are wasting in food, travel, home, and additional stuff. Our average plant resource is almost similar with 2.14 earths and 2.09 earths respectively. As well the average carbon emission is nearly alike. My carbon footprint was 13.47 tons per year, while Yaser was slight higher with 14.65 tons per year. We are comparable in using the main consumption of energy which is cooling while we are differing in transportation and additional stuff.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change (Reducing your impact, 2009). The person can calculate his carbon dioxide waste by using different websites that help determine carbon footprints. These sites ask you some regular questions regarding to your normal lifestyle in food, transportation, home, and usual stuff you generally use in your daily life like electricity, wood, fuel, etc. However, after answering these questions they calculate how much of the planet's resources you use per year, and converts this to the amount of land needed to provide the resources and assimilate your waste in tons per year.
However, I and my colleague Yaser measured our carbon dioxide waste in two different websites. These sites show how much we are wasting in food, travel, home, and additional stuff. Our average plant resource is almost similar with 2.14 earths and 2.09 earths respectively. As well the average carbon emission is nearly alike. My carbon footprint was 13.47 tons per year, while Yaser was slight higher with 14.65 tons per year. We are comparable in using the main consumption of energy which is cooling while we are differing in transportation and additional stuff.
In fact it has been showed that the UAE has the highest figure of carbon dioxide emissions in the world (Seema) which let me investigate more deeply about this reality. Therefore, I compared the UAE’s carbon footprint with Austria’s footprint which is almost the same area with double of population. Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that the UAE is wasting the planet almost the double of what Austria do. The UAE is producing 1000 tons of CO2 every 3 and half minute, while Austria which is double our population is producing 1000 tons of carbon dioxide per 6.8 minute. This fact put in the picture that the UAE really has a very bad effort in poising the earth.
We can reduce our carbon footprint by being more ecologically friendly, how? First, lower the carbon footprint in our houses. This is by using CFL lighting and energy efficient appliances, and adding insulation. Also, turn off lights, television, DVD player, electricity, computer etc. when not in use. As well, fill the dish washer and washing machine with a full load, this will save water, and electricity (Wiki Green, 2008). Second, lower your buying habits footprint. Try to choose organic vegetables instead of genetic one. Although, plants you own garden in the back yard instead of drive to the supermarket. Moreover, try to replace meats with vegetables. Third, lower your wastes in transportation. Go for a run rather than drive to the gym. Besides, do your weekly shopping in a single trip. Finally, lower your studies footprint. Reduce the need to copy and print. When you need to, copy and print on both sides of the paper, use a ceramic coffee mug instead of disposable cups, and keep a hand towel at your desk and carry it to the restroom instead of using paper towels (Reducing your impact, 2009).
In conclusion, carbon footprint is a very useful measurement to inform us how much wastes we are making during our life. There are many useful tips to reduce our carbon dioxide wastes easily. I believe if each one of us starts by now turning off his room’s light and reduce his uses of paper, he will save electricity for the next generation in the future.
Bibliography:
"How to reduce your carbon footprint." Wiki Green. 9 Sept. 2008. 27 Apr. 2009 http://green.wikia.com/wiki/How_to_reduce_your_carbon_footprint
"Reduce Your Carbon Footprint." Reducing your impact. 2009. 27 Apr. 2009 http://www.carbonfootprint.com/minimisecfp.html
Heroes of the UAE. 30 Apr. 2009 http://www.heroesoftheuae.ae/en
Seema. "Carbon Footprint by Country." Swivel Preview. 24 July 2007. 30 Apr. 2009 http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/21020002
WWF Footprint Calculator. 30 Apr. 2009 http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
