What's Your Carbon Footprint?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

What Is a Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is the general term used to quantify the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from fossil fuels.

• Wait, what?

Don't worry! There is a simpler way of understanding a carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases you indirectly cause to be released into the air through your actions.

These gases come from activities like using energy at home, traveling by car, or buying products that have been made using fossil fuels.

When fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum are burned for energy, they release gases into the atmosphere. These gases can trap heat and cause the planet to warm up, which affects the environment in many ways.

What Are Fossil Fuels?

Fossil fuels are natural resources that were formed within the earth a long time ago. These fuels are used to produce energy. They include coal, natural gas, and petroleum.

• Can you guess what each fossil fuel is used for?

Every day, tons of fossil fuel sources are extracted from the earth to produce goods and services. When some of these fossil fuels are used, they produce potentially toxic gases in our atmosphere.

For example, automobiles use petroleum to move. The petroleum used produces carbon dioxide as a by-product.

Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas. It is odorless and is formed in nature when oxygen, water vapor, and carbon atoms are combined.

However, when excessive amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, they can trap too much heat within the earth's atmosphere. This can be problematic for various reasons.

• Can you think of some of these reasons?

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint!

You can do many things to reduce your carbon footprint. Brainstorm some ways you think you can do this.

• What do you think about turning off the lights when you leave a room?
• Or maybe recycling?

Now, think about how reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to be complicated. It's about being mindful of your energy use and cutting down on waste.

Continue to the Got It? section of this lesson to assess your understanding of what a carbon footprint is.