Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop
What’s My Carbon Footprint?
By Alison Baenen for Green Goes Simple
 Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels …
unless you're an environmental policy wonk, an earth activist or an
ecosexual (a new breed of online singles looking for sustainably
committed partners -- seriously!), it’s hard to keep all of today’s
green-minded jargon straight. Carbon footprint -- a phrase that has
become as ubiquitous in pop culture as “LOL” -- has a simple definition,
but for the everyday person, understanding its parts takes some
digging.
In short, our individual carbon footprint equals the amount of carbon
dioxide we give off. You're giving some off right now just by exhaling,
but what concerns environmentalists are the emissions we release
indirectly. Heating your home, driving a car and even buying a carpet
(more on that later) all contribute to the amount of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere. Of course, some carbon dioxide in the air is natural --
and necessary, since trees and plants absorb it and use it for
photosynthesis. But climatologists are concerned that we’re producing
too much of it. The result is that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is
trapping heat from the sun and sending it back to Earth, resulting in
global warming.
It’s a big problem, but there are ways to reduce your own carbon
emissions (carbon footprint sounds much cooler, right?), thus helping
decrease global warming. Here are five easy ways to step lightly:
1. Change your bulbs.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They last longer, use less energy and will save you money.
2. Take a walk.
Drive less, bike more. Your bod -- and the globe -- will thank you.
3. Warm up your windows.
Adding a layer of insulation to your windows will keep warmth in and heating costs down.
4. Reduce waste.
Cut down on what you throw away,
and use reusable goods whenever possible. If you can, compost your food.
Reducing household waste and putting energy back into the earth means
less trash in landfills and more land to plant carbon dioxide-absorbing
trees.
5. Go for small.
When it comes to rugs in your home, smaller ones require less energy to make.
Perfect for your smaller footprint!
Alison Baenen is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her writing has appeared in Style.com, ContributingEditor.com, Epicurious.com and Concierge.com. In addition to editorial work, Alison is a copywriter for Theory, Gilt Groupe and PRPS. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.
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