Average Carbon Footprint of all people in the world: 4 tonnes...Average carbon Footprint of a homeless American: 8.5 tonnes... Average Carbon Footprint of an American Resident: 20 tonnes...These are annual rates according to ScienceDaily.com.  This is scary.

What is a carbon footprint? Why is it important? These are questions you should know answers to.

A carbon footprint is, “the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, event, or product.” (Wikipedia)

The conversion of energy carriers like natural gas and crude oil are directly linked to carbon dioxide emissions into the air. For example: YOUR CAR.

So onto the next question: Why is it important to know your carbon footprint? It gives you an idea of the kind of impact you are having on the Earth just living day to day. With this knowledge you can start taking steps to reduce your footprint. We don’t want our Earth to turn into a giant, hot ball do we?!

Still not interested? Think in 20 years around the year 2030. BBC reported that:

Demand for food will increase by 50%

Demand for water will increase by 30 %

Demand for energy will increase by 50%

Think about wars over food and clean water. Wouldn’t you fight for clean drinking water? This is what could be happening in our lifetime!

(BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8213884.stm)

So we need to take action now. The biggest contributor to your carbon footprint is your car. Driving is one of the worst things you can do for the Earth. I know, I know it is essential to most if not all of our lives to drive. But cutting back, maximizing trips and carpooling are great ways to start reducing your impact. Walk places and if you have to go out, make sire you plan out what you need to do so you aren’t driving aimlessly around!

The next biggest contributor is your air conditioner. So on the next mild days turn it off! It will also help your energy bill, go figure. These are small steps you can start taking now to improve the environment. If we all start being conscious of what we are doing and conserving energy and water now it will really start to make a difference.

So what do you think?! Do we have a problem? What should we do about it?!