There are approximately 800,000 tons of air to every person on the planet. This sounds a lot until
you realize that in the developed world we release several tons per person per year and that the
level of CO2 in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million. Since the industrial revolution,
the level has gone up from 350 parts per million, the natural 'background' level to 420 parts per
million today. The rate at which we are emmiting CO2 has been steaily increasing so that the bulk
of this increase has happened in the last 50 years. Over the next 50 years if we carry on buring
fossil fuels, the increase will be much greater than the 70 parts per million we have added so far
and the weather has changed enough already! CO2 is heavier than air and so to add one part per
million we would each have to emit 1.2 tons of CO2 rather than 0.8 tons as you might expect. This
though, is not much of a consolation.
Everyone has a 'carbon footprint' which is the amount of CO2 they emit each year as a result of
thier driving and use of heat and light - and everyone can take steps to reduce thier footprint.
Below is a simple calculator for you to calculate your personal or household carbon footprint.
Fill in the form below as best you can. It is not essential to be super accurate.
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