Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint can be defined as "the measure of greenhouse gases in units of CO2, that is produced by human activities." Measuring the carbon footprint helps individual, communities and countries to know how much co2 they are consuming, and their contribution to global warming. I took the personal test for measuring the carbon footprint and my result was 9.70 tons per annum which was relatively high.
My high results of foot print appeared from various reasons such as using all means of transportation such as cars, trains and airplanes. Also buying packaged food or leaving the air conditioner or the heater on in the whole house. I need to be careful about everything I buy and use.
After careful considerations, I realized that I need to walk more often instead of using my car to go to closer places. Also I need to buy unpacked food, and seasonal food and watch the electricity flow in my house.
It is very important for individuals to know their carbon footprint in the world, because its only then when we realize that this earth is our home, and taking care of it will help us live in a clean and a healthy environment and help our generation from further diseases. From my own experience I would like to reduce my carbon footprint, as I believe even one person matters.

American Cool Cities

1.Iowa- First municipal wind turbine.

2.Seattle- Reduced its own pollution by 60% by constructing green buildings and operating alternative fuel vehicles.

3.Klamath Falls- Geothermal heating system keeps the sidewalks clear and dry.

4.Houston, Texas- Plans to convert a substantial portion of the city of the Houston’s fleet cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles to hybrids by the year 2010.

5.Salt Lake City- Save #32,000 a year on its energy cost by installing 861 light emitting diode (LED) traffic signals.

6.Washington D.C.- Replace 414 of its polluting diesel buses with cleaner burning, compressed natural gas buses.

7.Twin Falls, Idaho- School increased their efficiency of energy which caused to reduce the cost by $3.2million.

8.Columbia, Missouri- Working to produce 10% of their electricity with clean energy like wind and solar power by 2015.

9.St. Paul- Has built a biomass fired power plant for heating buildings.

10.Scottsdale, Arizona- Has been a leader in the Southwest on energy efficiency buildings. It introduced Arizona’s first green building program in 1998.