Your Carbon Footprint & Off-Sets

The Carbon Footprint is a measurement of greenhouse gases (Carbon Dioxide or CO2) we individually produce that contribute to global warming based on our current lifestyle choices during a one year period. It is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. Together, primary and secondary footprints are the main elements making up the total of a typical person's carbon footprint in the developed world. Your carbon footprint is the sum of two parts:

Primary Footprint - which is approximately 46% of the average person's carbon footprint. It is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). We have direct control of these.
Secondary Footprint - which is approximately 54% of our carbon footprint. It is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

Most people are shocked when they see the amount of CO2 their activities create! Becoming informed about all the various ways CO2 is produced by our lifestyles is the first step towards making helpful changes in the way that we live to personally contribute to the cessation of global warming. Some of the key contributors to your carbon footprint include your transportation choices, the ways that you heat your home, as well as the types of food that you consume.

It’s estimated that if every American household went paper-free for bill-paying the environmental impact would include:

Reducing solid waste in U.S. landfills by more than 800,00 tons a year
Saving an estimated 18.5 million trees every year
Curbing the release of greenhouse gasses by 2.1 millon tons a year

The primary footprint reductions on this list could reduce your contribution to global warming and cost you no money at all .... In fact, they would save you money!

One might consider:

Using a green energy supplier who provides electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) - this could reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero
Turning off or unplug electric appliances when not in use (lights, computer, TV, DVD player, etc.)
Turning down your central heat a few degrees (there is no point in heating the house after you have left for work)
Turning down your water heater setting (just 2 degrees would make a significant saving)
Filling your dish washer and washing machine with full loads (this would save water, electricity & detergents)
When cooking, fill kettles with only as much water as you need
Unplugging your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging
Doing your weekly shopping in a single trip
Hanging out your wash to dry rather than tumbling it in an electric dryer
Going for a run rather than driving to the gym

As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is a secondary footprint that you cause through buying habits.

One might think about:

When you buy foods out of season at the super market, these have likely ether been flown or shipped from far away - all adding to your carbon footprint
Reducing your consumption of meat
Not buying bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink
Buying local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own
Not buying out of season fresh fruit and vegetables: they have likely been flown in
Trying to buy products made closer to home, avoiding items made in distant lands
Buying organic produce
Not buying over packaged products
Recycling as much as possible
What type of activities you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an increase in carbon emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting etc.

Calculate my Carbon Footprint!

There are many simple ways to reduce the footprint you leave on the planet. Learn how to reduce your footprint in each consumption category - carbon, food, housing, as well as goods and services.

What does your lifestyle and footprint say about you? Find out using this carbon footprint calculator!

Environmental Protection Agency- Carbon Footprint Calculator

Carbon Offsets

A carbon offset is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in one location thereby offsetting (or neutralizing) GHG emissions that are occurring somewhere else. For instance, you might consider using an online calculator to figure out how much carbon is released into the atmosphere from your daily commute to work over the course of a year. You could then pay toward an environmentally beneficial project which reduces carbon emissions elsewhere in the world. The main purchasers of carbon offsets are governments and large corporations, but it is now possible for individuals and smaller businesses to neutralize their carbon footprints as well.

Individual Carbon Offsets

The average American is responsible for approximately 50,000 pounds of CO2 annually to light our homes, drive our cars, fly to grandma's and everything else we do. It's easy and affordable to offset the individal carbon footprint with high-quality, 3rd party verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation products. Each type plays an important role in the fight against climate change.

Renewable Energy - supports clean energy development, such as wind, solar, and biomass
Energy Efficiency - reduces existing energy use, much of which comes from coal, oil, and natural gas
Reforestation - absorbs existing CO2 emissions, which help reduce excess greenhouse gases humans have added to the atmosphere

Business Carbon Offsets

Business carbon offsets can reduce the business carbon footprint to zero. The potential to do this could be accomplished through educating customers, employees, and shareholders through reductions in:

Shipping
Business travel
Purchase of carbon free certified [roducts
Business & industrial processes
Conferences & events
Employee commuting and more…

What about Earth's future?

Contact us with your comments, questions, or feedback at:

Sustainability Coordinator
Washington State Department of Corrections
PO Box 41112
Olympia, Washington 98504-1112
(360) 725-8396
Email Us @ SustainableDOC@doc1.wa.gov

Goals & Strategic Plan

Accountability

OMNI

Prison Rape Elimination Act

Going Green at DOC