Carbon Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) that a business, organization, product, household or personal lifestyle produces. A bigger footprint is harder on the planet. The EPA has developed a Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to provide a rough estimate of a household's GHG emissions. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket by trapp heat in the atmosphere making Earth warmer than it would otherwise be.
Reduce, reuse and recycle are ways humans can reduce their carbon footprint and thus their impact on the planet. (Photo: Flickr)
Look at the long and winding path your food takes to get to your plate
November 6, 2019, 8:27 a.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
Researchers mapped the route food takes from farms to homes.
These are the big cities where carbon emissions are already dropping
October 10, 2019, 1:33 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
Austin, Athens, Venice and Lisbon are the latest cities to meet global goals.
The huge carbon footprint of cement (and what we can do about it)
June 26, 2019, 2:15 p.m. by Sami Grover
Cement manufacturing contributes 8 percent of global carbon emissions. But what if it could become part of the solution?
Does Amazon Prime have to be so wasteful?
June 24, 2019, 12:34 p.m. by John Platt
Does the ease of free, one-click shipping outweigh the potential environmental costs?
The surprising truth about meal kits
April 23, 2019, 1:57 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
Researchers compare the carbon footprint of home cooking to kits.
(Un) Happy Earth Overshoot Day
July 31, 2018, 9:52 a.m. by Karl Burkart
It's the day we go into 'nature debt,' utilizing more than the year's supply of water, forest and agricultural resources.
How to reduce your carbon footprint from flying
June 3, 2018, 1:32 p.m. by Josh Lew
If you can't avoid flying, but you can reduce or eliminate your carbon footprint when you do.
Americans are curbing their love affair with beef
March 30, 2017, 1:21 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
Americans are curbing their love affair with beef and the result is a 10 percent reduction in food-related emissions.
How much Arctic sea ice did you melt today?
November 7, 2016, 5:37 a.m. by Michael d'Estries
New study puts a cold, hard number on individual actions.
Can more intensive agriculture cut emissions?
January 13, 2016, 3:22 p.m. by Sami Grover
When you grow more food per acre, it makes room for more forests. At least that's what one group of researchers is proposing.
Carbon dioxide could soon be transformed back into liquid fuel
December 28, 2015, 4:06 p.m. by Bryan Nelson
What if we could turn our fuel emissions back into fuel?
U.S. Christmas decorations use more energy than many nations do in a year
December 28, 2015, 6:13 a.m. by Bryan Nelson
Christmas is the season for many things, including a ridiculous carbon footprint.
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Scientists discover 'monster' black hole that 'should not even exist'
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Your dog understands more than you think
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Drone captures the largest swarm of sea turtles ever filmed
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Radar uncovers another Viking ship in Norway
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These birds prove you don't need a big brain for a complex social life
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This ad will have you air drumming in no time
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17 memorable quotes from 'Elf'
Buddy the Elf always knows what to say to spread holiday cheer.
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5 ways to cat-proof your Christmas tree
Keep your kitty — and your holiday decorations — safe with these tips for cat-proofing your tree.
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9 yummy winter drinks
These drinks will make you feel cozy, whether it’s a party or just an ordinary day.
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Which holiday foods are safe for pets?
You know dogs and cats will be eyeing that holiday table.
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It's time to revive the Society for the Prevention Useless Giving
Here's how to embrace your inner Spug all year long.
