Carbon Footprint

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Mar 29, 2022, 10:00

A Carbon Footprint is an expressive term used to denote the impact of different human activities on the quantum of carbon dioxide produced as a result of burning fossil fuels. The usual measurement of Carbon Footprint is made in tons of CO2, which is released every year and supplemented by several other gases such as nitrous oxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. Carbon Footprint is a broad measure, and it can be applied to the activities of an individual, a family, an organisation or even an entire country.

Effects Of Carbon Footprint

The ultimate effect of a higher Carbon Footprint is the visible changes in the climate. The emission of greenhouse gases contributes to rising temperatures, triggering several climatic events. The global average Carbon Footprint has reached 4 tons. It is estimated that the best chance to avoid a 2 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures is to bring down the average global Carbon Footprint per year, well under 2 tons, by the year 2050. The rapidly rising Carbon Footprint is a global problem responsible for the depletion of resources and climatic changes.

Ways To Reduce Carbon Footprint

A good way to reduce the impact of a Carbon Footprint on the environment is to follow a policy of adopting the 4 R's. These 4 R's stand for refuse, reduce, recycle and reuse. As the name suggests, these methods aim to decrease the resulting Carbon Footprint that an individual leaves on the planet.

Some other ways to reduce the Carbon Footprint are enlisted below:

  • Making use of more fuel-efficient vehicles or maintaining existing vehicles to ensure that they do not cause rebellious pollution levels. Opting for public transport is another way to cut down on carbon emissions.
  • Initiatives such as carbon pricing and carbon tax can be implemented in a wholesome way to give people an initiative to cut down their Carbon Footprint.
  • Implementation of climate change conventions such as the Nation Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the National Wetland Conservation Program are some initiatives that can help act on Carbon Footprint.

Everything About Carbon Watch App

In India, Chandigarh has become the first state to launch an application named ‘Carbon Watch. It is a mobile application that tracks the Carbon Footprint contribution of an individual. The application is designed to focus on the actions of an individual, which helps to calculate the overall Carbon Footprint of such individuals based on waste generated by them, transport facilities used, and consumption of energy and water. The app helps to arrive at vital figures about the average emissions based on these activities.

On the solution front, the app encourages people to adopt alternative methods which help to decrease their Carbon Footprint. The app also aims to make people aware of lifestyle habits that could contribute to increased carbon emissions and steps to revamp them.

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FAQs on Carbon Footprint

Q.1. What is the difference between Carbon Footprint and ecological footprint?

Carbon Footprint measures the emission of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming, while ecological footprint measures how bio-productive space is used, which makes the two of them quite different.

Q.2. Is it possible to calculate the average Carbon Footprint of an individual accurately?

Although results may vary, most calculators can assess the Carbon Footprint quite correctly and help you understand which activities contribute the most to increasing your Carbon Footprint. Using one such calculator helps to limit those activities.

Q.3. What is the concept of primary Carbon Footprint?

Transportation and household energy are the leading sources of emissions that contribute to an individual's Carbon Footprint. These sources are called primary Carbon Footprints, representing those emissions over which an individual has direct control and can be manipulated easily.

Q.4. What is the concept of Secondary Carbon Footprint?

That part of an individual's Carbon Footprint, which does not account for a primary Carbon Footprint, is termed the secondary Carbon Footprint. It includes emissions resulting from food production over which an individual has significantly lesser direct control.