Carbon Footprint

What is a Carbon Footprint?

The activities of daily life, such as driving a car and using electricity, produce carbon dioxide emissions, a form of greenhouse gas. For example TimeForChange.org provides information on the total of all these emissions over the course of the year make up our carbon footprint and contribute to global warming. We can reduce our individual carbon footprints by making simple changes in our activities at home, study or at work each day.

Electricity

Carbonfootprint.com shows how electricity use at home contributes 12% towards the total output of carbon emissions in the environment. Appliances such as the microwave, dishwasher and light bulbs contribute to a high carbon footprint. To reduce your carbon footprint, unplug appliances and chargers when not in use, decrease the use and temperature of heaters, use low-energy light bulbs, and if your lucky enough to have a dishwasher only when it’s completely full.

 Water

The process of providing water to communities consumes large amounts of energy. Cutting your time in the shower in half, turning off the tap when you brush your teeth and shave, and reducing the amount of water used to rinse off dishes will help to reduce the amount of water and energy wasted and to decrease our carbon footprint.

Travel

The Green Guide of NationalGeographic.com suggests that, to decrease the use of fuel and carbon emissions, car share to campus or social events, off campus students can use the free term time Newport to campus shuttle bus service provided by Student Services. When on campus walk between buildings across campus rather than driving from one car park to another.

Food

Food often travels across the country before it gets to your local shops, wasting valuable oil and resources. Purchasing food at the local markets in your area, participating in a community garden or growing your own fruit and vegetables are some other ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Recycling

To further decrease your impact on the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, donate clothes, furniture or electronics you no longer use so that others can use them or break down materials in these items to make new products, purchase products made from recycled materials, and participate in a recycling program in your community both on & off campus.

Other examples of information sources are included below.

http://timeforchange.org/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-definition

http://www.climate-change-guide.com/carbon-footprint-definition.html

http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electricity-emissions-around-the-world

https://www.rivernetwork.org/resource/the-carbon-footprint-of-water/

http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/

https://www.carbontrust.com/news/2012/03/food-the-carbon-story/