OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Carbon Footprint
If we all do our part to reduce our individual carbon footprints, it will help lessen climate change effects.
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. It is the sum of all emissions resulting from every stage of a product or service’s lifetime from material production, manufacturing, and use to end-of-life.
Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Food
Food waste is the single most common landfilled material in the U.S., comprising 24% of municipal solid waste.
Reduce food waste
Eat more plant-based foods
Transportation
Cars and light trucks emitted 16% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.
Conserve fuel in your car
Buy an electric vehicle
Use mass transit
Walk or bike
Spending/Waste
The supply of goods causes 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Think green before you shop
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Energy
Space heating and cooling are estimated to account for 43% of energy in U.S. homes in 2022.
Perform a home energy audit
Install renewable energy
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
The average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world.
Calculators
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
What is Your Ecological Footprint?
Global Footprint Network
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
The Nature Conservancy