Carbon Footprints- A Blow To The Fragile Environment

Man has not been kind to nature- the very resource which nurtures and nourishes us has been depleted at an alarming rate with no thought to future consequences and the results are now here for everyone to see; climate changes, global warming, ozone depletion, vanishing flora and fauna, dwindling natural resources are only some of the effects of environmental degradation and it will only worsen if we do not put a check on our mindless exploitation of natural resources. All the above effects are in direct consequence of man’s past and present unfriendly environmental activities and increased emissions of carbon dioxide is also its by-product.
The growing concern of increased carbon dioxide emissions also known as carbon footprint is a step in the direction and we must first fully know what is a carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is basically a measurement of the amount of CO2 gas emissions which can be attributed to an individual, group, corporation, event or product. It is not simply ‘my carbon footprint or your carbon footprint’ since every day greenhouse gas emissions are produced by every single person on this planet as we go about our daily activities. We are responsible for these emissions directly and indirectly even if we are not aware of it. It is like we are signing a piece of paper and the gas emissions are like our signature on environmental paper.
Carbon footprints are measured in metric tines of CO2 and equivalent of CO2 and are composed of two parts. The first part consists of direct or primary footprint which we release into the air directly. For instance, whenever we use electricity whether at home (using power appliances) or at work (switching on the computer) we are releasing emissions into the air directly. Whenever we use transportation to go from one place to another or to ship goods we are doing the same. These emissions measure around 51% of the total global carbon footprint but since these involve daily activities it is something within our power to control and manage.
The secondary or indirect carbon footprint involves products which we use like plastic, clothes etc. and starting from their material sourcing and manufacturing to packaging and transportation and going onto their usage and disposal, they make up almost 42% of the global CO2 emissions. Indiscriminate usage of such lifestyle products indicates poor carbon footprint management as it leads to increased CO2 emissions in the environment.
To calculate carbon footprint, a product lifecycle assessment is done on the basis of its life cycle including its inception, storage, use and disposal. Individual, corporate or group assessment involves carbon footprint tracking which is done on the basis of daily activities by answering relevant questionnaires. Corporate can contribute to projects preserving the environment or countering the harmful emissions and in this way reduce their business carbon footprint significantly.
Carbon footprints have a negative impact on the environment and a proper understanding of it can help us assess our personal contribution towards its reduction.



Solar Bros-our team is committed in exploring ways to bring green electricity to households in Australia and for the benefit of the environment. Visit  our Solar Bros website updates on cheap and green electricity.