Environment: treading lightly on the Earth
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Contents

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 What is the carbon footprint, and why is it important?
    • 1.1 Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
    • 1.2 The carbon footprint boundary
    • 1.3 Individual and household carbon footprints
      • 1.3.1 Converting carbon to CO2 (or CO2e) emissions
    • 1.4 Total footprint
      • 1.4.1 Percentages and parts per million (ppm)
    • 1.5 Summary of Section 1
  • 2 Not all footprints are equally heavy
    • 2.1 The carbon footprint of UK individuals and households
      • 2.1.1 Averages – mean and median
      • 2.1.2 The effect of incomes and household types
    • 2.2 Household carbon footprints in other developed countries
      • 2.2.1 Carbon footprint components
    • 2.3 International comparisons of carbon footprints
      • 2.3.1 Carbon footprints per person
      • 2.3.2 Total carbon footprints
      • 2.3.3 Differences between people and places
      • 2.3.4 Rounding numbers, decimal places and significant figures
      • 2.3.5 Viewing and listening for a purpose
      • 2.3.6 Carbon footprint at home
    • 2.4 Summary of Section 2
  • 3 How heavy is your footprint?
    • 3.1 Calculating your carbon footprint
    • 3.2 Summary of Section 3
  • 4 Reducing your carbon footprint
    • 4.1 Carbon reduction targets
    • 4.2 Actions for lighter living
      • 4.2.1 Deciding what action to take
    • 4.3 Lighter living costs and constraints
    • 4.4 Moving towards a sustainable carbon footprint
      • 4.4.1 Low-carbon living
      • 4.4.2 How can you reduce your carbon footprint?
    • 4.5 Summary of Section 4
  • 5 Who’s responsible for reducing carbon footprints?
    • 5.1 The role of individuals and households
    • 5.2 The role of active citizens and communities
      • 5.2.1 Voluntary carbon offsets
    • 5.3 The role of governments and business
      • 5.3.1 Government taxation and subsidies
      • 5.3.2 Government, business and international actions
      • 5.3.3 Further reducing your carbon footprint
    • 5.4 Summary of Section 5
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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