Ever wonder how your daily routine impacts the planet?
Your carbon footprint shows the total greenhouse gases that you produce through your lifestyle. You use energy each time you drive your car, turn on your light, purchase a product, or eat a meal. And in most cases, that energy is in the form of fossil fuel. They produce carbon dioxide when burned.
The more energy you use, the more carbon is likely to be released into the atmosphere.
Let’s learn what a carbon footprint is, how to use a carbon emissions calculator, and simple things you can do to reduce it.
Carbon Emissions Calculator
Want to know how to figure out your own carbon footprint? Several online carbon emissions calculators make it easy. But if you prefer doing it yourself, here’s a quick method:
- Multiply your monthly electric bill by 105
- Multiply your monthly gas bill by 105
- Multiply your monthly oil bill by 113
- Multiply your total yearly car mileage by 0.79
- Multiply the number of short flights (under 4 hours) you’ve taken in a year by 1,100
- Multiply the number of long flights (over 4 hours) you’ve taken in a year by 4,400
- Add 184 if you don’t recycle newspapers
- Add 166 if you don’t recycle aluminum or tin
Now, add all these numbers together. That’s your estimated carbon footprint, in pounds per year. To give you an idea:
- 6,000 – 15,999 lbs/year = low
- 16,000 – 22,000 lbs/year = average
- Over 22,000 lbs/year = high
Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
In 2024, energy-related CO2 emissions reached a record high of 37.8 Gt. Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce it:
Drive Less
- Walk, cycle, or carpool whenever possible.
Use public transport - If driving, keep the car tires properly inflated. Fuel efficiency drops by 0.2% for every 1 PSI reduction.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
- Replace old bulbs with LED lights
- Use energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines
- Unplug devices when not in use
Eat More Plant-Based Meals
- Avoid meat and dairy
- Buy local and seasonal food when possible
- Have vegetarian or vegan meals
Use Less Water
- Fix leaks quickly
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off the taps while brushing your teeth
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Avoid single-use plastics
- Reuse bags, bottles, and containers
- Recycle paper, tin, aluminum, and glass
Cut Down on Flying
- Choose trains or buses for short distances
- Combine multiple trips into one
Switch to Renewable Energy
- Solar panels help us use renewable sources of energy
- Choose a green energy provider
- Support community energy projects
Take Actionable Steps with a Carbon Emissions Calculator
You may identify areas for reduction by being aware of your carbon impact. Every little change matters, whether it’s riding the bus more frequently or occasionally skipping meat.
Make an effort to incorporate the aforementioned advice into your everyday activities. Begin where you are. Make use of the resources at your disposal. And move towards a healthier, greener world one step at a time.
Use a carbon emissions calculator today to understand how you can start your journey towards a greener future!
Article and permission to publish here provided by Vishal Shah. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on June 23, 2025.
Cover image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.