World Wildlife Fund

Carbon Calculator

Every day, you produce greenhouse gases. These gases are measured in units of carbon dioxide. Your "carbon footprint" is the impact your activities have on the world's climate. Use this tool to assess where you're at today, so you can get on the road to lowering your carbon emissions.

 

Entering your email address is optional. If you do, we'll email your calculator results and sign you up to receive the latest in WWF's conservation news and urgent updates via e-mail. View our privacy policy.

 

This tool is geared for U.S. residents and the data is provided by the Berkeley Institute of the Environment.

View calculator documentation here.

Initial Information  

Please pick the state where you live and the city or region that is closest to your location. Data for some cities is not available. In those cases, average regional factors are used. If your city is not listed, you should select the regional average option. Please complete the following questions in order.

  1. Where do you live?

  2. How many people live in your household?

  3. What is your gross annual household income?

 

* Items 1,2 and 3 generate average values through the rest of the carbon calculator that you can customize to your own usage as you proceed. To edit your choices on this page, you must reselect all 3 items in order from 1 to 3.

How is this calculated?

Welcome

Find out just how much your daily activities contribute to climate change. As you step through the following questions, the calculator will tally your carbon footprint, and show you how you rate against the United States and world averages.

Good For The Earth

  1. Calculate your carbon footprint
  2. Make changes to reduce your carbon footprint
  3. Speak up! Write your elected representatives
  4. Send the calculator to your friends

On the Ground  

Enter the number of miles you drive your vehicle(s) per year and the average miles per gallon (mpg) that each vehicle features. If you need to add additional vehicles click on the "Add Vehicle" link below.

VEHICLE 1:
miles/yr mpg
 
[X]  VEHICLE 2:
miles/yr mpg

 (Add Vehicle)

 





How is this calculated?

In the US, transportation is responsible for approximately 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Take action to reduce your travel and to travel efficiently, for example by carpooling or using public transit.

TIp: Drive Smarter

Maintain and drive your car well. Make sure your car's tires are properly inflated. Observe speed limits and avoid rapid acceleration and excessive breaking. These steps add up to more miles for less gas and will even save you money, too.

 

Other Transportation

  1. Public Transit

    Enter total miles travelled per year on all bus & rail public transit OR, click here to enter separate miles for bus & rail
    miles/yr

  2. Air Travel

    3. Miles flown per year Number of one-way flights
    miles/yr





How is this calculated?

In the US, transportation is responsible for approximately 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Take action to reduce your travel and to travel efficiently, for example by carpooling or using public transit.

TIp: Air Travel

Reduce business air travel by using new technologies such as videoconferencing and promoting telecommuting.

My Home

Enter the amounts you spend annually on the utilities listed below. Then enter the square feet of living space in your home.

  1. Electricity:

      

  2. Electricity % purchased from a clean energy program:

  3. Natural Gas:

      

  4. Heating Oil or Other Fuels:

      $

  5. Water & Sewage:

      $

  6. Square feet in your home:

      

How is this calculated?

Greenhouse gases are released to provide the energy you use to heat and cool your home, to heat water, and to run all your lights, appliances and electronic devices. You can make a big reduction in your carbon emissions by taking simple steps in your home and yard.

TIp: Improve Your Home

Plant a shade tree: Planting a shade tree blocks the summer heat and can decrease the energy you need to cool your home. Get the best results by planting trees to the west and southwest of your house.

Food

How much money do you spend at home on each food category per month?

Meat, fish, & eggs
 Total  Individual Proteins
Meat, fish, eggs $

Dairy, fruit/vegetables
Dairy: $
Other (snacks, drinks, etc.): $
Fruits & vegetables: $
Cereals & bakery products: $

Eating Out
Eating Out: $





How is this calculated?

It can take a lot of energy to produce food and to ultimately put it on your plate. Be aware of how much energy is required for your food and how your diet affects your carbon footprint.

Tip: Shop Smarter

Consume less animal protein. Producing animal protein and delivering to your table tends to generate more greenhouse gas emissions than alternatives. Reduce your carbon footprint by eating less animal protein, especially beef and cheese.





How is this calculated?

Goods & Services

How much do you spend on the following goods each month?

Clothing, Furniture & Appliances
Clothing: $
Furniture & appliances: $
Other Goods
Entertainment: $
Paper, office & reading: $
Personal care & cleaning: $
Auto parts: $
Medical: $

 

For a quicker calculation, leave the default values in this section. For a more personal analysis, estimate your total monthly spending for these goods, including entertainment items such as electronics and dvds, paper supplies and magazines, personal care products, auto parts, and medical prescriptions.

It takes energy to produce, transport, and operate the goods you buy. Reduce your carbon footprint by changing your consumption patterns. Simple actions like using the library instead of buying a new book make an impact.

Tip: Switch Bulbs

Light for less. Take out and replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. Remember to turn off the light when you leave a room.

Goods & Services

How much do you spend on the following services each month?

Services
 All Services  Individual Services
All Services: $

For a quicker calculation, keep the default values. a more personal analysis, estimate monthly spending for doctors visits, tuition and other services.

It takes energy to produce, transport, and operate the goods you buy. Reduce your carbon footprint by changing your consumption patterns. Simple actions like using the library instead of buying a new book make an impact.

TIp: Saving Money

Pull the plug. Many appliances use electricity even when they are not in use. Unplug TVs, computers, stereos, DVD players and other devices that use electricity while on standby.

Results

Your Total

Take Action Now!

  1. Share your results - Forward your results email to family and friends and encourage them to calculate their own footprints. Make it a friendly competition to see who has the lowest impact on the environment.

  2. Take Action - Tell your elected officials that you care about the impact of climate change. Urge them to take action now by visiting the WWF Conservation Action Network page - get involved here now.

  3. Support WWF - Please join our committed group of 1.2 million members in the U.S. and nearly 5 million globally. Supporting our global conservation efforts means you'll be one of many who care about protecting endangered species, preserving wild places and yes, fighting global threats like climate change, pollution and poaching. Make your donation here.

  • Transportation

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  • Food

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  • Housing

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  • Goods & Services

    Thank you so much for taking... It may be elegant or playful, traditional or innovative, familiar or fresh, depending on the purpose and tone of the piece.

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