Ecology

Carbon Footprint Calculator

Estimate your annual CO2 emissions from daily life.

Understanding Your Carbon Footprint

The global average carbon footprint is about 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per person per year, but this varies enormously: the average American produces ~16 tonnes, while someone in India produces ~1.9 tonnes. Transportation typically accounts for 25-30% of a household's footprint, with flying being the single most carbon-intensive activity per hour. Home energy (heating, cooling, electricity) contributes 20-25%. Diet makes up 10-15%, with beef and lamb producing 20-30x more emissions per calorie than plant foods. Small changes compound: switching from driving to cycling for short trips, reducing one long-haul flight, and cutting red meat consumption by half can reduce your footprint by 2-3 tonnes annually.