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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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MNN.COM > Eco-Glossary

Carbon Footprint

 
"Carbon footprint" is a term that has grown in popularity in recent years, referring to a business or individual's impact, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, on the environment. Burning fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum, contributes to pollution and subsequent climate change. The burning of coal and petroleum (among other substances) is a ubiquitous practice in the U.S. and worldwide because it is an easy way to produce power — power to heat homes, illuminate lights, run vehicles, heat water, cook food and many other functions humans rely on daily. One's "carbon footprint" is determined by how much of this "power" he or she uses, or "contributes" to the atmosphere.
 
Many Web sites now have "carbon calculators" that help a person determine his or her approximate footprint. (Photo: Flickr)

Recent Stories


Is eBay green just a sheen?

Wed, Mar 10 2010 at 4:21 PM EST

Online seller touts its eBay Green channel as an eco-friendly alternative to buying new products.


Your T-shirt's life story (before it met you)

Fri, Mar 05 2010 at 6:49 PM EST

Before it touched your skin, your T-shirt already had a history.


Fun T-shirt for factory farm haters

Thu, Mar 04 2010 at 12:25 PM EST

Wear the Cheeseburger Footprint T-shirt and scare your friends into eating healthier, greener fare.


Birth versus Earth

Mon, Mar 01 2010 at 5:58 PM EST

Some women are opting out of motherhood as an act of eco-consciousness.


Walmart announces aggressive GHG emission goal

Thu, Feb 25 2010 at 2:24 PM EST

Walmart's CEO Mike Duke announced the company's new aggressive greenhouse gas emissions goal during a webcast broadcast live on TreeHugger.com.


Climate Counts launches Industry Innovators rating

Wed, Feb 24 2010 at 7:06 PM EST

Nonprofit ClimateCounts offers iPhone app and a new way to sort out truly climate-friendly companies in a landscape of overblown marketing claims.


Richard Branson declares war on carbon

Fri, Feb 19 2010 at 4:24 AM EST

CEO extraordinaire explains the big problems and big opportunities that a post-carbon world can provide.


Safeway inks deal with Hara to further reduce energy use and carbon footprint

Wed, Feb 17 2010 at 11:05 PM EST

The supermarket giant has a long history of reducing waste and increasing efficiency.


For Lent, some of the faithful are fasting from carbon

Tue, Feb 16 2010 at 10:49 PM EST

A green approach to Lent can help you lower your carbon footprint.


Atlanta family downsizes and donates to charity

Mon, Feb 01 2010 at 3:00 PM EST

The Salwen family downsized their Atlanta house and donated half of the proceeds from the sale to hunger relief projects in Africa.


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