Determining Your Carbon Footprint

This activity, created by Clint Moseley, demonstrates the embodied energy hidden in the products people use, purchase, and throw away, in addition to the travel people undertake. Students will use actual utility statements, spending habits, and travel history to calculate their own carbon footprint, and then present their results to the class. 

Intended for students who are currently employed or seeking employment in the construction or facilities management trades, students will work both inside and outside the classroom to understand the concept of embodied energy, understand what the Carbon Footprint concept means, and identify leverage points that can be attempted to reduce an individual's carbon footprint without much effort. Completion of the project requires prior knowledge of basic mathematics, basic report writing, and a good group work etiquette. 

Included with the lesson plan is a Carbon Footprint Worksheet, which students will complete during the activity.