Carbon footprinting is not just a ‘in vogue’ term these days, but is largely being used to measure the sustainability of actions both at a personal and industrial front. This article explains the basic concept and the need for a low carbon living.
If someone asks you how big your carbon footprint is, will you then think about big black sneaker prints you accidentally make on your marble floor or new rug? Or do you really know what they are talking about? For a common man, it is not necessary to know about what terms like carbon footprint, carbon abatement, and Life Cycle Assessment etc. means and therefore it is not a matter of shame if somebody asks ‘what carbon footprint is?’ Or ‘I know about carbon footprint but what can I do about it?’ 
For starters let us understand the textbook definition of carbon footprint. It is “the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product”, and is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHG’s emitted. These emissions are leading to changes in our environment.
The carbon footprint is a part of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which is the investigation and evaluation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused or necessitated by its existence. In a simpler way, carbon footprint can also be defined as the measurement of the impact of human activities that use carbon to the environment.
A carbon footprint isn’t something we can see, but it has a big effect on our world. It is a measurement of the impact that our activities have on the environment that are resulting in climate change. Things like how our home is heated, how we travel, and how much gas and electricity we consume, all contribute to the calculation of our family’s particular carbon footprint. Basically, any activity that creates carbon dioxide contributes to climate change.
Knowing how much energy we are currently using is an important first step in reducing our carbon footprint. For this we need to know a few basic things about our household. First, one need to know that approximately how much money we pay every year for electricity, natural gas, heating oil, or any other kind of energy used to power our home. One also needs to know how many miles our each car travels every year. One can also figure out approximately how many miles a child rides on his/her school bus each year, multiplying the miles to school and back by 180 school days. Once you have this information, visit www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx, which is one of the many sites that have carbon footprint calculators. This site will lead through the steps to estimate our family's carbon footprint. Some of the changes that one can make to live a lower-carbon lifestyle are- 
- Home appliances use energy even when they're not being used, so pull the plug when they are not in use or plug them into a power bar and turn that off at night.
- Boil only as much water as per the needs rather than a whole kettle full; fit the size of the pan to the size of the burner and use a lid; buy less packaging; compost and recycle religiously.
- Pressure cookers and steamers use less energy than conventional ovens.
- Regularly clean the appliances as well maintained appliances run better and save energy. So defrost the freezer regularly, check the seals, de-scale the kettle and so on.
- Replace old kitchen appliances - especially the refrigerator - with newer ENERGY STAR certified models.
- Get to work by walking, biking or sharing a ride, maximize the use of public transport and minimize the use of private vehicles.
- Buying local products and eating locally grown food; making own gifts; buying only what is necessary and recycling.
According to Environmental Data Services, January 2009, an article reports that a supermarket was opened by Tesco in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, England in January 2009 which measures 52,000 square foot with a carbon footprint 70% smaller than a typical store built in 2006. The store complied with the energy efficiency measures which resulted to the reduction of one third carbon footprint. Fitting clear glass doors on the refrigerated cabinets, installing natural lighting, and using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant gas are among the factors which helped achieve this.
Small changes to our daily routines can help to make our lifestyle sustainable, while government and industry make bigger changes for reducing emissions and switching to renewables. There are many lifestyle choices that can reduce our personal carbon emissions. Many of them will save our money and stress. Although some of these choices will, admittedly, require major lifestyle changes, many of them merely require some changing of daily habits. Low carbon living is easy and fun, good for the planet and improves your quality of life and each one of us has the power to make a difference!!
References:
www.ecomii.com
www.britannica.com
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hadjonni
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astonein
This piece was a lifeacjekt
This piece was a lifeacjekt that saved me from drowning.
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