1. What is Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). The EPA method calculates this based on home energy use, transportation, and waste production.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses EPA emission factors:

Where:

• \( Home \) — Electricity (kWh × 0.0007) + Natural Gas (therms × 0.0053)
• \( Transport \) — (Miles/MPG) × 0.0089
• \( Waste \) — Pounds × 0.0002

Explanation: The equation converts common activities into equivalent tons of CO2 emissions per year.

3. Importance of Carbon Footprint Calculation

Details: Understanding your carbon footprint helps identify opportunities to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your monthly energy usage, annual driving distance, vehicle efficiency, and weekly waste production for an estimate.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's an average carbon footprint?
A: The average US household emits about 20 tons CO2e/year, while the global average is about 4 tons per person.

Q2: How can I reduce my footprint?
A: Use energy-efficient appliances, drive less, recycle more, and consider renewable energy sources.

Q3: Why include waste in the calculation?
A: Decomposing waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Q4: Are flights included in this calculator?
A: This basic version doesn't include air travel, which can significantly increase your footprint.

Q5: How accurate are these estimates?
A: They provide reasonable approximations using EPA averages, but actual emissions may vary.