The Carbon Footprint

Virtually everything we do that requires oil, gas or electricity pumps carbon dioxide, CO2, into the air. As it rises into the atmosphere, scientists say it acts like a blanket and traps heat, warming the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household of two people produces 41,000 lbs of carbon dioxide per year.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Here's a sample of how different lifestyle choices and building designs can influence carbon dioxide emissions:

AUTOMOTIVE

2007 Honda Civic, driven 231 miles per week, the national average: 8,177 lbs CO2per year

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid, 231 miles per week: 5,451 lbs CO2per year

RECYCLING

Waste for a family of four that doesn't recycle: 4,072 lbs CO2per year

Waste for a family of four that recycles: 2,384 lbs CO2per year

COMMUTING

Single occupant, 20 miles by car per day for 50 weeks: 5,000 lbs CO2

Single person, 20 miles per day on public transportation (rail or bus): 2850 lbs CO2

BUILDINGS

Large office building, standard features, 250,000 sq. ft.: 8 million lbs CO2per year

Green office building, new fluorescent lighting, recommissioned infrastructure, new appliances, power management: 5 million lbs CO2per year Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Technologies, American Public Transport Association, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories (Philip Haves), Staff research