Carbon Footprints

*One Foot, Two Foot, Red Foot, Green Foot

*Questions to consider:

*1. What do you think the term “carbon footprint” means?

*2. Do you think it is desirable to have a big one or a small one? Why?

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGRlo87oAUg

*Carbon Footprint

*Definition: the measured amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted through combustion fossil fuels.

*The footprint is the amount of carbon-based natural resources consumed by person, company, community, country over a time period

*On a large scale, it is expressed in tons while for an individual/household, it is calculated in pounds

* CO2 & greenhouse gases are believed to be the cause of climate change & global warming.

* 3. What is the big idea of this video?

* http://www.discovery.com/video-topics/other/what-you-need-to-know-carbon-footprint.htm

*Reducing Carbon Footprints

*4. List ways you could decrease your carbon footprint.

*Share & discuss

*5. Of your list (# 4), which of these options do you think most people would be willing to do?

*Consider: replace 3 light bulbs with compact fluorescents saves 300 pounds; increase the thermostat from 68 to 70 (2,000 pounds); take shorter showers (350 pounds), turn off electricity not being used (1000 pounds); install solar panels

*http://www.howcast.com/videos/365-How-to-Reduce-Your-Carbon-Footprint

*Your Impact & Influence

*6. Estimate your carbon footprint (in tons)

*a. Let’s calculate it for an average family…

*http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/?matchtype=b&creative=33211791470&device=c&network=g&src=sea.AWG.PR0.CP131.AD159.KW11243.MT1.BU132&gclid=CJam0YXfhcICFdSTfgodsh8Aug

*7. How – if at all – do you expect climate change to affect you during your lifetime?

*a. What about the next generation?

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWOrZQ3L-c

*What is the impact of humans?

*Reading

*Let’s read about Eco-Footprints