2.3. Carbon in a nutshell
Key Takeaways 2.3
In a nutshell
It is time to understand your personal carbon footprint
And think about ways you can change your lifestyle to live a lower carbon life.
Time to talk carbon
CO2 v CO2e
CO2 is shorthand for carbon dioxide. It is one of the seven major greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change.
CO2e is shorthand for carbon dioxide equivalent. This actually covers all greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, including:
- carbon dioxide (CO2),
- methane (CH4),
- nitrous oxide (N2O),
- and refrigerant gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Using CO2e makes it easy to compare the impact of a range of activities.
Everyday carbon emission
To give you an idea of carbon emission levels of everyday activities and items, here are some estimated examples from How Bad Are Bananas? by Mike Berners-Lee.
| Travel | CO2e |
|---|---|
1 mile by pedal bike 1 mile by bus (half-full diesel hybrid) 1 mile by train (intercity - standard class) 1 mile by petrol car (average UK car) Return flight - London to Hong Kong (in economy class) Return flight - London to Hong Kong (in business class) | 40 g 46 g 80 g 530 g 3.5 tons 10 tons |
| General | CO2e |
|---|---|
A cup of black tea A large latte A toilet roll (virgin paper) A paperback book A generous bath (heated by an efficient gas boiler) A 10-inch Margherita pizza A beef cheeseburger A week’s food shopping (vegan, no air freight, no waste) Average week’s food shopping (including meat, air freight) | 22 g 552 g 730 g 1 kg 1 kg 1.4 kg 3.2 kg 17 kg 88 kg |
(Source: How Bad Are Bananas? Mike Berners-Lee)
Your carbon footprint
In his book, Berners-Lee suggests that a 5-ton lifestyle is the working target for the amount of CO2e an average UK person should contribute per year.
As it currently stands the ‘average’ global citizen has a footprint of 7 tons, but it varies hugely – for example the average American footprint is 21 tons, in the UK it is 13 tons and in Malawi just 0.2 tons.
To calculate your personal carbon footprint, visit the World Wildlife Fund’s Footprint Calculator.
Here are some effective ways to lower your carbon footprint at home. Many of these actions also benefit nature and/or reduce waste. They may also save you money.
