What is Your Carbon Footprint?

Before human activities began to dramatically increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from natural sources closely matched the amount that was stored or absorbed through natural processes.

For example, as forests grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis; this carbon is then captured and stored in wood, leaves, roots and soil. Some carbon is later released back to the atmosphere when leaves, roots and wood die and decay.

Carbon dioxide also cycles through the ocean. Plankton living at the ocean's surface absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. The plankton and animals that eat the plankton then die and fall to the bottom of the ocean. As they decay, carbon dioxide is released into the water and returns to the surface via ocean currents.

As a result of these natural cycles, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air had changed very little for 10,000 years. But that balance has been upset by humans.

Today, human activities result in more carbon dioxide in the air than is healthy for us or the planet. One problem with too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is that it creates greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming. And global warming is disrupting all sorts of environmental systems that humans depend on for food, livelihood, and health. There are things each of us do every day that create carbon dioxide. And there are things we can do every day to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we create.

To find out how much carbon dioxide you create each day, also called your “carbon footprint,” take the quiz below.


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Carbon Footprint Quiz


Find out what your carbon footprint is.



TRANSPORTATION

Transport is estimated to account for 20-25% of all greenhouse gas emissions
Source - www.worldcarfree.net/resources/stats.php

1. How many miles do you drive in a week?
A) < 25
B) 25 - 50
C) 50 - 100
D) 100 - 200
E) > 200


2. How many hours do you spend flying each year?
A) 400 hours
B) 100 hours
C) 50 hours 		D) 25 hours
E) 5-10 hours
F) Never fly


ENERGY

The average American household uses 10,000 KWH of energy annually. This translates to 13,400 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year!!
Source - http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/energy-savers/appliances.html

3. What electrical appliances do you use at your home?
A) Computer
B) Television
C) Lighting
D) Heating and Cooling
E) Refrigeration
F) Washer/Dryer
G) Cooking Range
H) Small Appliances
         (toaster, oven, microwave, blender)
I) Water Heater


WATER

UN recommends that people need a minimum of 13.2 gallons of water a day for drinking, washing, cooking and sanitation. In the US, an average American uses 123 gallons of water in a day!!
Source - http://waterconservation.ifas.ufl.edu/triviaprint.htm

4. Which of the following uses the largest % of water in the house?
A) Toilet Leaks
B) Dishwasher
C) Washing Machine
D) Bath
E) Shower
F) Toilet Flush
G) Faucet


5. If you were to reduce your shower time each day from 15 minutes to 14
   minutes, how many gallons/year of water would you save?
A) 500 gallons
B) 1000 gallons
C) 1500 gallons
D) 2000 gallons



RECYCLING

Recycling one ton of paper saves 7000 gallons of water!!
Source - http://www.resourcefulschools.org/facts.html

6. How much waste do you generate?
A) ten 10-gallon bags of trash a week
B) five 10-gallon bags of trash a week
C) three 10-gallon bags of trash a week
D) two 10-gallon bags of trash a week
E) one 10-gallon bags of trash a week


7. How many trees does it take to make a ton (2200 pounds) of paper?
A) 17,000
B) 1,700
C) 17
D) 170



URBAN NATURE

One tree recycles more than $37,000 worth of water, provides $31,000 worth of erosion control, $62,000 worth of air pollution control, and produces $37,000 worth of oxygen.
Source - http://www.treeinabox.com/Tree%20Facts.htm

8. How many pounds of pollutants can one tree filter in a year?
A) 60 pounds
B) 1 pound
C) 600 pounds
D) 1/6 pound
E) Trees don't filter anything



ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Due to the widespread presence of toxic chemicals in the environment and in many of the products we use, the average adult has at least 250 chemicals stored in their body fat.
Source - http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/HealthImpacts.htm

9. Which of the following statements are true?
  1. Chemical air fresheners may work by deadening your nasal passages, thereby inhibiting your sense of smell.
  2. Freshly dry cleaned clothes brought into your home may be a source of indoor air pollution
  3. Each computer and television display uses a Cathode Ray Tube that contains an average of 4-8 pounds of lead.
  4. A survey of 215 cosmetics found that 99% of those used on the skin contained preservatives called parabens, chemicals that may interfere with hormones.
  5. Many of the solvents and substances used in nail varnishes such as toluene, acetone, formaldehyde, and especially phthalates are reproductive toxicants and have been found to cause health problems in workers, including occupational asthma.
A) v & ii only
B) iii, iv & v only
C) i & ii only
D) all of the above
E) none of the above



URBAN DESIGN

Indoor levels of pollutants may be 2 to 5 times, and occasionally more than 1,000 times, higher than outdoor levels.
Source - http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992)

10. All of the following are elements of green building:
  1. resource savings (energy, water and raw material)
  2. cost savings
  3. improved air quality
  4. increased productivity
  5. improved health
A) True
B) False