098 CARBON FOOTPRINT

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098 CARBON FOOTPRINT
MATERIAL REQUIRED
Yourself
A carbon footprint is "the total set
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrogen gases are important
examples of GHG) caused by an organization, or
event. For simplicity of reporting, it is often
expressed in terms of the amount of carbon
dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
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Calculating carbon footprint for children at
School Have the child answer questions
pertaining to their own daily practices and the
practices of their families and classrooms to
encourage a discussion beyond their individual
actions. 
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Typical questions asked to children include,
"How do you get to school?" "How often do you
eat at a fast food restaurant?" "Do you bring
your lunch in a polythene bag or a lunch box?"
"Do you leave the tap on when brushing your
teeth?" "Do you turn off the lights when you
leave a room? Do you turn off TV/Computer/Music
system when not in use," and "Do you recycle
and/or compost at home?
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Discuss how to take action to reduce the child's
current footprint. There can be suggestions on
simple things the child can take action. The
child can share the results with a parent or
teacher to discuss the active measures the child
can do. It can be fun to take the test again
after these new practices have been implemented
to see the concrete results and understanding by
children.