Carbon Footprint Calculator | Climate Change | US EPA

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

This carbon footprint calculator is set up for easy-to-use inputs for three sectors: home energy use, local transportation, and home waste generation.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Users need to have data on their own energy use (home electricity use, transportation cost, etc.) in order to use this tool. The inputs would be most efficiently accomplished at home with assistance from parents, who can provide detailed information on utility bills, miles driven, recycling, etc. Students may have a difficult time imagining that gas actually has weight. Use the value of 0.0855 lbs air/cubic foot to calculate how much air (in pounds) is in your classroom before students start using the calculator.
Footprint calculator estimates carbon footprint for household home energy use, home waste generation, and local transportation. Estimates are based on baseline data provided by the user (utility bills, miles driven, recycling, etc.). Assumptions and references are provided, based on US average values. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: - provides a cost breakdown incentive - the excel calculator on opening page is awesome!
Calculator is very simple and straightforward in presentation. Output of calculator is a report on user's current footprint, potential reductions based on behaviour changes identified, and comparisons to general public. For each of energy use, waste, and transportation, behavior change/reduction strategies are provided along with savings in dollars and CO2 emissions. Students can download the exercise as an Excel spreadsheet to see the formulas used in calculations.