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A carbon footprint tells us about our energy use and the environmental impacts of our daily actions. It is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our daily lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation.

The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent ( which includes other gases in addition to carbon dioxide). Greenhouse gases from human activities is a major contributor to climate change.

An individual carbon footprint can be reduced through such things as energy conservation, water conservation, use of renewable energy, purchase of carbon offsets, recycling, waste reduction, and buying local products.

Additional Resources:

Energy Efficient Homes: An Introduction to Carbon Footprints http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fy1040

EPA Household Emissions Calculator http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

Carbon Footprint.com http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html

Zerofootprint Kids Calculator http://www.zerofootprintkids.com/kids_home.aspx