Almost everything we do – from turning on a computer or a light to driving a car and even breathing – results in CO2 being released into the air. CO2 is a greenhouse gas. This means, once it is in the atmosphere, it traps the sun's heat, like a greenhouse, and keeps the Earth warm. The more greenhouse gases in the air, the warmer the Earth gets – too much of them causes ice to melt at the poles, sea levels to rise, coral reefs to die and farmland to turn to desert. This is climate change.
Measuring how much CO2 our activities produce is a good way of calculating our impact on the planet. This measure is called our "carbon footprint". The bigger our carbon footprint, the more we are affecting our planet.
CO2 is absorbed by plants and reabsorbed by water, but we are producing CO2 three-times faster than it can be removed from the air. We need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we produce. The carbon footprint on the right shows which activities produce the most CO2 and also how easy it is to reduce your carbon footprint.
CO2 goes into the atmosphere when we burn oil, gas and coal. Planes burn a lot of fuel. The more flights and car trips you make, the bigger your carbon footprint. Try taking the bus or train, or, better still, walk or cycle.
Did you know: Transport accounts for about 22% of the CO2 released into the air in the UK.
Did you know: Transport accounts for about 22% of the CO2 released into the air in the UK.
Coal, gas and oil are burned by many power stations to create electricity, releasing CO2. Solar-, hydro- and wind-power produce much less CO2. Ask if your family can switch to a renewable energy supply.
Did you know: Of all the power stations, coal-fired ones produce the most CO2 – 1kg per kWh of electricity produced.
Did you know: Of all the power stations, coal-fired ones produce the most CO2 – 1kg per kWh of electricity produced.
Trees absorb CO2 and produce oxygen to give us cleaner air. When trees are burned, the carbon in their trunks is released as CO2.
Did you know: Fossil fuels, such as coal, are made from trees that were buried millions of years ago. But they didn't rot: high pressures and temperatures trapped their carbon inside.
Did you know: Fossil fuels, such as coal, are made from trees that were buried millions of years ago. But they didn't rot: high pressures and temperatures trapped their carbon inside.
Leaving televisions and computers on standby uses electricity and wastes money. Switch off your gadgets when you are not using them.
Did you know: It's wise not to leave gadgets charging overnight. Even when fully charged, they keep draining electricity.
Did you know: It's wise not to leave gadgets charging overnight. Even when fully charged, they keep draining electricity.
Plastics used for packaging and carrier bags contain carbon. When they are binned and burned in incinerators, this creates and releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Cut back on plastic-bag use.
Did you know: Up to 1tn carrier bags are taken home every year – 150 for every person on Earth.
Did you know: Up to 1tn carrier bags are taken home every year – 150 for every person on Earth.
More interesting carbon facts
Our home-energy use adds CO2 to the air, so be energy efficient to reduce your carbon footprint.
Did you know: You can save energy by taking showers not baths, putting on a jumper not turning up the heating, and using low-energy lightbulbs.
Did you know: You can save energy by taking showers not baths, putting on a jumper not turning up the heating, and using low-energy lightbulbs.
Where does your food come from? Try to buy seasonal, locally sourced food. It will be fresher and help local businesses, and less fuel will have been used to grow and transport it to your supermarket.
Did you know: One in four heavy goods vehicles on UK roads is transporting food.
Did you know: One in four heavy goods vehicles on UK roads is transporting food.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by adding more green to the world. Joining a tree-planting scheme – or just keeping a houseplant will help because plants take in CO2.
Did you know: The world's trees take in around 26m tonnes of CO2 every year.
Did you know: The world's trees take in around 26m tonnes of CO2 every year.
