Many people have heard of carbon footprints, but few people understand what the terms actually mean. A carbon footprint is a measurement detailing how each individual’s activities impact the environment, or climate change more specifically.

It directly links to how much greenhouse gases are produced in daily activities by the burning of fossil fuels (for heating, lighting, transportation and more). The footprint measures the greenhouse gases you produces individually and uses tonnes (or kg) as the unit for carbon dioxide equivalent.

A person’s primary footprint is one that measures any direct emissions of CO2. This includes any fossil fuel burning associated with household energy consumption or transportation (car, plane, boat). This are measurements everyone has direct control over.

A secondary footprint is one that measures any indirect CO2 emissions. This are those related to the lifecycle of products a person uses. For example, the more they purchase the more emissions are caused due to the consumption.

Things you can do to offset your carbon footprint include:

• Sign up for renewable energy suppliers (solar, wind, hydropower) to reduce electricity footprint contribution.
• Turn off things when they’re not being used (television, lights, computer, etc).
• Turn down your heating or cooling system by 1-2 degrees.
• Turn down your water heater system by 2 degrees.
• Only run your dishwasher when it’s full to save electricity, heat and water.
• Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it’s finished charging.
• Defrost your fridge and freezer on a regular basis.
• Do all shopping during a single weekly trip.
• Hang your laundry outdoors to dry.
• Walk instead of driving to the gym.