🌍 Carbon Footprint Calculator
Calculate your annual carbon emissions from transportation, energy use, air travel, and diet
Transportation
Home Energy
Check your utility bill (avg household: 900 kWh)
Check your utility bill (avg household: 40 therms)
Air Travel
Diet & Lifestyle
Understanding Carbon Footprints
What is a Carbon Footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (primarily CO₂) that your activities generate. The average American produces about 16 tons of CO₂ per year, compared to the global average of 4 tons.
Why It Matters
Climate scientists recommend reducing global per capita emissions to 2-3 tons by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Understanding your footprint is the first step toward meaningful reduction.
Emission Factors Used
This calculator uses EPA and IPCC standard emission factors: gasoline (19.6 lbs CO₂/gallon), electricity (0.92 lbs CO₂/kWh US average), natural gas (11.7 lbs CO₂/therm), short flights (0.24 tons CO₂ each), long flights (0.86 tons CO₂ each).
Quick Wins for Reduction
The biggest impacts come from: switching to an electric vehicle, improving home insulation, switching to renewable energy, reducing air travel, and shifting toward a plant-based diet. Even small changes in each category can significantly reduce your footprint.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your annual miles driven and select your vehicle type
- Add your monthly electricity and natural gas usage from utility bills
- Include any air travel (number of flights per year)
- Select your diet type and food sourcing habits
- Click "Calculate" to see your total carbon footprint
- Review the breakdown to identify your largest emission sources
- Use the personalized tips to reduce your environmental impact