What is the carbon footprint?

We consume electricity, are mobile and heat our homes - all of which generates emissions that affect our atmosphere and pollute the climate. They can be calculated and expressed in_{CO2 equivalents}. Methane, for example, is another gas alongside_CO2 that is released in excessive quantities as a result of human activity. 1g of methane has approximately 25 times more impact on the climate than 1g of_CO2. 1g of methane therefore equals 25g_{of CO2 equivalents}.

The_{carbon footprint} summarizes all emissions of a specific unit, e.g. a person, institution or product.

But it is not only when we actually fly by plane or buy a new cell phone that emissions are released. The construction of infrastructure, the extraction and processing of raw materials and later transportation and disposal also produce so many greenhouse gases that the climate changes and ecosystems are at risk. All emissions from this so-called life cycle of a product or activity are included in the_{carbon footprint}.