Research Topic: Carbon Footprint

In my research prospectus I would like to explore the average person's contribution to environmental damage in current day. What is my personal carbon footprint as an American citizen, who drives a car? More importantly, I would like to research what exactly one can do to help the environment, or at least slow the hazardous progression we are contributing to. Do things such as turning off the lights and using less hot water actually work?

I often wonder just how much the steps and mantras that have been pounded into our heads as children (reduce, reuse, recycle) actually impact the environment. If just one person, per household in America followed a simple process to eliminate the extremity of their carbon footprint, what impact would this have on the world as a whole. Basically, can I actually help make this world more sustainable simply on my own? What are the statistics- what really makes energy use more efficient?

I believe that most people know that they should recycle, ect. But somehow, not many people feel a personal responsibility to follow through. It is just so convenient to stop by a vending machine and purchase a bottle of water. Save your money, save the environment, save the earth, save humanity. Why not take a long, hot shower- you have the access to it- everyone else does it- why not take advantage of it? Why bother with a vendetta to reduce your carbon footprint- what impact can one person make if everyone else is still guzzling up tons of carbon each and every year, month, week, day, hour... minute... second? What difference can it make?


Why bother even saving the environment, we often wonder. It is already a mess, but will it not just move on with or without us? We are headed to another mass extinction, but our contributions to this inevitable crisis is only escalating it to a much sooner date. The author, Michael Chrichton, often alludes to these issues in his novels. In Jurassic Park he states, "Let's be clear. The planet is not in jeopardy. We are in jeopardy. We haven't got the power to destroy the planet - or to save it. But we might have the power to save ourselves."

Are we, as a society, really so naive, or maybe just blind to the fact that destruction of the place we live- destroys the wildlife- destroys the plants- in turn, will destroy us? We made this problem, and have the power to remedy it, even if the will to do so is lacking; so why not fix it? The fortunate ones of us live where we are not directly affected on a day to day level- but people around the world are already suffering and we keep on buying our SUVs and blasting our electronics. The lack of guilt is idiotically astounding. Who cares about the 3rd world, I'm comfortable right here, sitting on my couch, with the heat blasting, watching my HDTV with the lights on. I can afford it, why not take advantage of it. News flash: We will not be able to afford it for long- change is coming to our very doorstep and fast. What type of change this might curtail, only we have the power to make that choice. I choose life over destruction. What about you? I want to discover the validity of my personal carbon footprint and also the validity behind the steps I can follow to reduce it. Exactly how much can one person do in order to start reversing the man-made destruction to our very existence.