Calculate the carbon footprint of two individuals with very

Calculate the carbon footprint of two individuals with very different lifestyles. Use the site: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx. On the Welcome page enter state of residence for each person. Then calculate their carbon footprints and comment on what factors are most important in determining their footprints. Ignore factors like air travel, etc.

Jane lives in North Dakota. She drives a 2012 Chevy Volt electric car about 20,000 miles per year and her bumper sticker reads \"Tree hugging dirt worshipper\". She owns an old house that annually consumes 35,000 kWh of electricity. She eats vegan, organic and local food, recycles everything, but indulges in going to theatres, movies and restaurants.

Jack lives in Washington State. He drives a 2011 Ford F150 Raptor 4WD pickup about 20,000 miles per year and his bumper sticker reads \"My Carbon Footprint is BIGGER than Yours\". He lives in a new development home that annually consumes 15,000 kWh of electric energy. He likes red meat daily, does not recycle, buys what he pleases, etc.

i) Whose carbon footprint is bigger?

ii) Why does it matter what state they are in?

iii) What does Jane need to change in her life in order to reduce her carbon footprint?

Solution

a) Total Car Footprint = 4.02 metric tons of CO2e

Total House Footprint = 35.60 metric tons of CO2e

b) Total Car Footprint = 16.75 metric tons of CO2e

Total House Footprint = 1.67 metric tons of CO2e

a) jane carbon foot print is bigger

b) from the data it indicates washington state releases less co2 even consumption of electricity in Kwh

c)jane has to change state or she has to consume less electricity