What Is A Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is an estimate of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a particular activity, service, or product. When all GHGs are considered, the footprint is expressed in “CO2 equivalent” units, or CO2e units. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, each American resident is responsible for 23 tons of CO2e emissions every year “throughout the economy.” That means that each year, everything we do: work, play, drive, heat or cool our homes, vacation, shop, cook, watch TV, go to school, hang out at the mall and, of course, breathe produces 23 tons of carbon dioxide (and other GHGs) per person. Online calculators will estimate your carbon footprint for specific activities such as driving, airplane flights, home activities, or special events. Ideally, you can neutralize your carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon offsets.

What Are Carbon Offsets?

A carbon offset is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in one location thereby offsetting (or neutralizing) GHG emissions that are occurring somewhere else. For instance, you might use an online calculator to figure out how much carbon is released into the atmosphere from your daily commute to work over the course of a year. You can then pay toward an environmentally beneficial project which reduces carbon emissions elsewhere in the world. The main purchasers of carbon offsets are governments and large corporations, but it is now possible for individuals and smaller businesses to neutralize their carbon footprints as well.

Carbon Calculators

Most calculators allow you to estimate carbon emission figures for your car(s), airplane flights, and running your home. Some calculators also estimate offsets for events like weddings, business meetings, or the manufacture of various products.

The problem with carbon calculators and carbon offsetting in general is that there is no regulation and consistency between providers. Costs and calculations vary widely depending on the calculator and provider you’re using. For instance consider the following scenarios:

Round Trip Airfare From New York To LA

• Emissions estimate: 0.75 to 2.1 tons of CO2
• Cost to offset: $10 to $36

Wedding

• Emissions estimate: 7.5 to 9 tons of CO2
• Cost to offset: $44 to $232

Running An average U.S. Household For A Year

• Emissions estimate: 5 to 8 tons of CO2
• Cost to offset: $34 to $177

Other Offset Examples

• $127 to $667 to offset your total emissions for 1 year
• $71 to $99 to offset your SUV for 1 year
• $35 to $76 to offset your mid-size car for 1 year
• $19 to $36 to offset your fuel efficient or hybrid car for 1 year

One of the best calculators we found is at Conservation International, where you have your choice of quick, simple, or detailed calculations for home, driving, and travel, and quick calculations for road trips, weddings, family gatherings, and more. They also feature a gift option.