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Considering COVID dramatically changed everyone’s lifestyle in some way, I decided to calculate my carbon footprint two times: first, for how I would normally live without experiencing a global pandemic, and secondly, for how I live in quarantine. Normally speaking, my carbon footprint is 7.39 tons of carbon, which is well above the global average. However, during quarantine, my carbon footprint lowered to 5.16. Both scores reflect my country’s wealth as they are higher than the world average. As a developed, affluential country, the USA is able to produce an abundance of things that produce more carbon and create a larger carbon footprint. Therefore, many people in the USA generally have larger carbon footprints. My normal carbon footprint reflects the economy of the USA because of the previously booming economic industries. In normal circumstances, developed countries’ economic and political proceedings require an increasing amount of energy, which increases carbon usage as well. On the other hand, the fact that my carbon footprint lowered during quarantine shows that the US economy declined in the pandemic.
My carbon footprint indicates the power imbalance between the people in power and the youth of my country. Our generation will have to live through the effects of climate change, and we are aware of it. Figures like Greta Thunberg represent the powerful ideas of our generation and how our voices are vital to facing the climate crisis and making a change. However, in my country, as in most countries, there is a significant underrepresentation of youth voices. Those in power are not taking the necessary actions to combat the climate crisis, and this is apparent in my high carbon footprints. The USA should be taking advantage of carbon mitigation plans in order to help control our carbon emissions and hopefully lower our country’s carbon footprint as a whole.
Although it’s not extremely evident from my quarantine carbon footprint, something that I noticed was that the energy that we aren’t using at school is being used at home. Since we aren’t going to school or spending time at school, all the energy from transit and appliances at school isn’t being used. Supposedly, this would mean our carbon footprint is lowered, right? Well, since we’re using computers for online school over 8 hours a day and using appliances at home, our carbon emissions are balancing out. All of the energy we use at home adds up to the energy we would be using at school. I thought this was particularly interesting because it isn’t apparent in my carbon footprint as it seems to have lowered in quarantine. Some questions I gained from this were: What energy usage really affects my carbon footprint? Does how long I spend on the computer affect my carbon footprint? If so, why doesn’t the carbon footprint calculator include an option for how many hours I use devices? We should continue to cut down on our energy usage during quarantine, but our carbon footprint and our direct impact on climate change will always be apparent in our everyday lives.
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10 Comment(s)
Sophia Fernandes Almeida, São Paulo, Brazil
Hey, Piper!!! Nice to meet you! Congratulations, your blog is so well written!! I really like the fact that you calculated your carbon footprint twice, considering the pandemic and considering your normal life! It made lots of things clear! Also, it is so good to see how determined you are to make the world a more eco-friendly place! You are an inspiring person! It will be so nice to work with you during #Decarbonize! :)
Hey Piper,
Great job on your carbon footprint and your blog!
I find it very interesting that you have found a way to lower your environmental impact during this pandemic. Personally, I think if were in your situation my carbon footprint would rise because I would constantly be using electricity. When I had to do online schooling I was constantly on my laptop and my phone, and sat in my air conditioned room, so I think if I calculated my COVID footprint it would be much higher than the one I recently completed.
- Tahnee, Australia
Hi Piper,
I live in Australia, where COVID-19 hasn't had such a negative effect on our lives. I think it's great that you were able to lower your overall carbon footprint compared to when you first calculated it.
- Mitchell. Townsville, Australia
Hi Piper,
My name is Will I live in Townsville Australia where COVID-19 has not effected out life as much as yours. I find it interesting that during quarantine you were able to lower your overall carbon footprint in comparison to when you first calculated your footprint.
Hey Piper,
I found your blog very informative and I appreciate the detail in which you talked. I admire the fact that you calculated your carbon footprint twice due to COVID. I would have thought that COVID would have increased your carbon footprint because of restrictions and having to stay at home, which would have meant more electricity being used. I definitely agree with your statement “there is a significant underrepresentation of youth voices” And how we, the younger generations are only now starting to raise our voices. I believe this is also because of young people such as Greta Thunberg, who are influencing us to speak up. My carbon footprint was lower than yours normally as I was still going to school through COVID so my carbon footprint would not have changed because of COVID. Once again I enjoyed reading your blog post as it was both formal and informative!!
- Taylor
Hey Piper,
You answered every question very thoroughly which made it easier to understand your situation. In the area of Australia that I live in COVID didn't affect my day to day life for very long so it didn't have a chance to affect my personal carbon footprint. Overall I think your blog showed how conscious you are about your usage and what you can do to hopefully decease it.
Well done
-Abby
Hey Piper!
I've noticed you haven't used the same carbpn footprint calculator, I apologise for any mistakes when translating tons into kgs. The Australian average carbon footprint is 11'771kgs or 11.58 tons, why do you think your carbon footprint is so low in comparison? What is USA's average carbon footprint? Is there something you could do that would lessen your carbon footprint on a day to day life without covid-19 interfering?
From, Anneke
Hi Piper,
It's really interesting to hear your opinion and your study. I didn't think about doing my carbon footprint before and during quarantine. While here in Townsville, Australia, we were only in lock down/quarantine for 2 months, there definitely was a substantial difference in my carbon footprint, especially with travel. Nice reading your blog!
-Sofia
Hi Piper, I live in Queensland Australia, covid-19 hasn't effected my lifestyle too much as we were only in lockdown for around 2 months, we were home-schooling for a while which would have changed my carbon footprint but overall I didn't think that it would be significant, great idea to compare each carbon-footprint!!
Hi Piper, I think you blog post answers all the questions well. I live in Townsville, Australia where covid hasn't effected my life very much and I was only in lockdown for a few weeks. I find it interesting that you had to take it into account when calculating your carbon footprint.
Sophia Fernandes Almeida
Dec 24, 2020