Leave Only Footprints?

These days we hear a lot about our carbon footprint and how we should be trying to reduce it. Sounds great, but what is it? Why should we make it smaller? And how do we do that as an individual? 

The UK Carbon Trust defines a carbon footprint as a measure of, "the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organisation, event or product." It takes into account all 6 greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride), but is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. In simple terms, it's a rough measure of the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by the actions of something or someone.

For example, according to the CO2 List, for one kilogram of red meat to be produced, 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) will have been released into the atmosphere (the same amount of chicken or fish releases only 6 kilograms.) Your PC (or Mac) released approximately 61 kg of CO2 for every kilogram it weighs and the shirt on your back emitted about two kilograms of CO2 during it's manufacture. Even walking has a carbon footprint: approximately 320 grams of CO2 per mile walked. Why? It takes into consideration the food calories you're burning and the manufacturing process of your footwear. Intense stuff...


This is one of the main reasons we need to be aware of our footprint and how to reduce it; everything we do adds to it. Many governments around the world are already taxing carbon in one way or the other and this is only set to increase both in scope and scale. This means that companies with large carbon footprints will need to increase the cost of their products and services in order to cover the cost of these taxes. If you have already taken steps to reduce your personal carbon footprint, you will be less reliable on these products and services, thereby saving you money in the long-term. This in turn will contribute to your sustainability. This is why we should care.

So now you know what it is and why you should be trying to reduce it. Next up, how you can reduce it. I've said before that few things about sustainability are simple, but the following steps are fairly painless:

• Check out fuel efficiency ratings before buying a new car. The UK Vehicle Certification Agency has a comprehensive listing of new and used cars made after March 2001. Not only will this reduce your footprint, but also save you a stack of cash when fuel prices increase.

• Walk, cycle, car-share or use public transport to get to one of your regular destinations at least once a week.

• Make your home more energy-efficient. This can be as simple as checking for drafts and insulating all the empty gaps or you can go a small step further by replacing all your standard light-bulbs with LEDs and replacing your old home appliances with newer, more energy-efficient versions (when the old ones stop working that is...)

• Try buying your food from local, organic sources. This is often difficult and almost always more expensive, but some big supermarkets are making the effort to stock this kind of produce without a massive mark-up. You can also try and find a farmer's market in your area, or if your feeling adventurous, why not have a go at growing your own veggies in the back garden? 

You might be thinking this sounds like a lot of hassle and bullshit. And in the short-term, you're absolutely right. It's a pain in the arse. But start thinking further than 6 months down the line. It could only be a matter of years before your fuel, energy, and shopping bills become substantially higher than they once were. Prepare yourself for that future.