EVR 1001 Florida International University Carbon Footprint Question

I’m working on a environmental science multi-part question and need an explanation to help me study.

This is a 2 step assignment:

• Step 1: Use the EPA’s Carbon Footprint Calculator at https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/ (Links to an external site.) to calculate your own, personal carbon footprint. Find out exactly how much YOU, personally, are contributing to the global climate crisis.
  • What to submit: In a short (150-300 word) essay: discuss 3 ways in which your carbon footprint is higher than you expected and, for each, come up with a realistic (one that’s actually feasible for you to do, starting today) plan for reducing your footprint.
• Step 2: Unfortunately, reducing our future footprints is only part of the equation. We also need to remove the carbon we’ve already released in to the atmosphere. We can do this through “carbon offsetting”. Watch the video below for information on how carbon offsetting works, why it’s necessary and its fall backs (nothing is perfect, but perfection should not be the enemy of the good). Then, visit https://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonoffsetprojects.html (Links to an external site.) and using the website identify one project you’d be willing to support now, or in the future. Scroll to the bottom of the website, and enter the information on your carbon footprint from step 1, convert your answer from step 1 (which is in lbs) to US tons by dividing by 2000. Calculate how much it would cost to offset enough of your carbon footprint to become carbon-neutral (no net emissions of carbon in to the atmosphere) by entering the value in the appropriate box and finding your selected project in the list that pops up. Note: when you click ‘get prices’ the projects are grouped in to regional projects so your chosen project may be put in to one of those categories (click the titles to explore further).
  • Example of a carbon offset policy: FIU’s Earth and Environment Department has committed to offsetting all official department air travel related carbon emissions by paying for carbon offsets through Native Energy https://nativeenergy.com/ (Links to an external site.) .
  • What to submit: After your step 1 essay, add another 150-300 words discuss which project you chose, why you chose it, and how much it would cost for you, per year, to offset enough of your carbon footprint to live a carbon-neutral lifestyle. In one final sentence, commit to what you are personally willing and able to do, starting today, to achieve that goal. Hot tip: saying you’re not willing/able to do anything would not be considered a right answer.
  • Video to watch: Carbon Offsetting – Funding Solutions to Climate Change (Links to an external site.)

Rubric

carbon footprint and offset assignment rubric