Calculating Our Impact on the Global Culture - Essay Example

After using the Carbonfootprint calculator, I found out that my total emission of carbon is 27.00 metric tons. This is way above the national averageof 7.5 tons per year. It is a very alarming discovery on my part. It means I am adding to the green house gases. This makes the thermal blanket covering the earth thicker which consequently leads to too much heat in the atmosphere. (Machingambi, N., 2010)The biggest contributing factor for my total carbon emission is car usage. I am currently using a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara with manual transmission.

In twelve months, the carbon footprint calculated a use of 15.38 metric tons of CO2 for 30,000 miles. Using the same carbon footprint calculator, I changed the number of miles I drive annually to 10,000 miles and got a carbon emission reading of 4.88 metric tons of CO2 for car usage. This still gave me a total emission reading more than twice the national average. Aiming for a lower CO2 emission count, I next changed the type of car I drove to a 2006 Toyota Corolla with manual transmission and used the same mileage reading (10,000).

For this type of car with this mileage, the calculator gave a reading of 2.85 metric tons. Reverting to my current mileage reading but with the Toyota, I was able to get a reading of 8.54 metric tons. The changes shows that the amount of C02 emission for my car usage actually depends on how many miles I drive or how often I use my car. Needless to say, I can decrease my CO2 emission by also decreasing my car usage. My total household CO2 emission reading of 27.00 metric tons is primarily composed of flights, car usage and secondary sources.

After reviewing the Climate Crisis website, three easy measures I can adopt would be to a) start carpooling with my co-workers, b) take other means of transportation whenever I can to avoid driving and c) try meatless Mondays or other days. Three complex measures that can further reduce my CO2 emission from the same website can be a) insulating my home, b) switching to green power and c) protecting and conserving forest worldwide. After seeing the results of the Carbon Footprint Calculator, I am motivated to implement the measures I have enumerated above as soon as possible.

Whenever I avoid driving, I can actually accomplish two good things. I spend less on fuel and generate less carbon dioxide. (Levinson, W. & Rerick, R., 2002) I not only help myself but I help nature as well. I am also willing to try using less meat when cooking for my family. “Another way to reduce the amount of energy needed to produce the food a family consumes is to buy and eat less meat (Hall, L., 2009).” This is because it takes more energy to produce meat. I think it is also a healthy change for my family as it will give us more opportunity to eat vegetables and fish.

There are other measures more complex that may take some time for me put into practice such as insulating my home, switching to solar or wind energy and protecting the forest. It will be hard because the first two measures are costly and I cannot afford those changes right now. The third way would need more people helping out to make it a successful venture. “Declining forests absorb less CO2 and release more carbon (Weyler, R., 2009).”Although I am willing to do my share, I can only do so much in protecting trees worldwide.

References:Carbon Footprint Calculator. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspxHall, L.E. (2009). Buying Less. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint in the Kitchen. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Levinson, W. & Rerick, R. (2002). Lean Manufacturing Techniques. Lean Enterprise: a synergistic approach to minimizing waste. Wisconsin: American Society for Quality. Machingambi, N. (2010). Global warming effects upon us. The Manica Post. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.

manicapost.com/inside.aspx?sectid=1225&cat=10 Take Action. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.climatecrisis.net/Weyler, R., (2009). Deep Green: Forests: Carbon Sink or Carbon Bomb. Retrieved on November 11, 2010 from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/about/deep-green/deep-green-apr-09/