Green Issues

So, Just what IS a Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) we create, largely through the burning of fossil fuels for power generation, transportation and the production of goods and services. This is usually gauged in the amount of tonnes of fuel we burn up in a year.

All of us create a carbon footprint whether we are conscious of it or not.

Carbon dioxide is recognised as a greenhouse gas, which is one of the major causes of climate change. Scientists claim the temperature near the earth's surface has risen significantly over the last century. One of the contributory factors is the sharp rise in the release of CO2 which heightens the effect of infrared radiation.

Experts believe that this will lead to extreme phenomena suchas the metling of the polar ice caps, a rise in sea levels and extreme changes in weather patterns.

This could also damage agriculture, change water flow systems and lead to the extinction of certain species. Ecologists believe carbon footprints can be limited on every level. Firstly on a personal level, by radically reassessing our transportation needs, tackling over consumption, recycling and considering every aspect of our lives from how much heating we use to where we buy our food from. There's been increased pressure on companies to examine the giant carbon footprints they leave, but also renewed calls for big consumers - such as the United States, Australia, the Middle Eas and parts of Europe - to drastically reduce their CO2 output.