What is a Carbon Footprint

Learn what a carbon footprint is and how that relates to climate change. Be Conscious. Make an Impact. Be Rewarded.

Greenhouse gases absorb heat when they interact with sunlight, they are the reason earth has a climate.

Your carbon footprint is the total of all of the greenhouse gas produced by what you do and by the energy spent making the things you buy.

The place you live…
The car you drive…
the clothes you wear…
the food you eat…
even that cup of morning coffee…
all consume energy…

And they all add to your carbon footprint

Just like the water cycle…
there is a natural carbon cycle present in our atmosphere.
Carbon is the building block of life on earth…
and there is a natural carbon cycle between animal life,
forests,
and oceans
which is known to have kept carbon in balance for hundreds of thousands of years.

This cycle has been known to be in balance for over 800,000 years
With natural atmospheric carbon ranging between 180 and 280 ppm

Carbon levels relate very closely to global temperatures as you can see from the data over the same time period.

However, since the Industrial Revolution,
human activity has dramatically increased the amount of carbon being released…
and it is more than the natural cycle can handle…
meaning the carbon cycle is becoming increasingly out of balance.

If our emissions continue to climb, our temperatures are sure to follow. The good news is we can take action to make changes because we know why this is happening.

This is happening because of our use of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels contain carbon that has been outside of the carbon cycle for millions of years.
So every time we use fossil fuels, we are increasing the amount of carbon that is in the active carbon cycle.

The impact: a buildup of Greenhouse Gas leading to climate change

There’s good news!
BLUEdot Register makes it easy
For you to reduce and offset your impact!

Every day our paleBLUEdot gives us so much.
Maybe it’s time we start paying her back.

We publish videos with the intention of developing greater awareness, encouraging action to reduce our negative impacts on each other and our planet. Visit our website to learn more about how you can reduce your impact!

BLUEdot Register is a unique program offering individuals an opportunity to make a difference. Our global issues are a result of the collective luxuries we all enjoy as individuals, and as individuals we can make a positive change. BLUEdot Register empowers you to make that change, and rewards you for it.

Learn more at www.BLUEdotRegister.org.

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Primary video filmed by Ted Redmond. Video includes use of public domain clips from “In the Suburbs” a 1957 promotional film by Redbook, “This Nation’s Power” a 1930’s promotional film by Jam Handy Productions, as well as global temperature data imagery provided by NASA. CO2 and Temperature data based on information provided by NASA Earth Observatory. Stock image by Beachfrontbroll.com with permission.
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This short and fun video explains what a carbon footprint is and how you can reduce yours to minimise your impact on the planet. Share to help educate everyone on how to lessen impacts of climate change and pollution.

This video was made as a master’s project with the African Climate and Development Initiative. The ACDI has been established at UCT to facilitate, stimulate and coordinate partnerships and knowledge across disciplines on climate and development issues. With a strong African and Global South perspective, the ACDI’s work is focused on research, teaching at post-graduate level, public awareness and close interaction with policy makers, business and civil society. Its interdisciplinary focus provides a multi-layered perspective on climate change and development, bringing both interdisciplinary breadth and specialist depth to problems and solutions. #ACDI #Climatechange #UCT #Carbonfootprint #makeadifference #Africa

Music: Tananas – Folk Vibe 2

14 thoughts on “What is a Carbon Footprint”

  1. Its funny how trees flourish in CO2 rich environments while these ignorant copy-paste-mainstream-media people are saying carbon is bad.

    Reply
  2. Very nicely presented.  Now let's continue to educate all corners of the world, and get more people like yourselves involved in a cause that benefits all of us.  Good job!  Thank you. JG

    Reply

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