Community Articles
Go to Site Index See "Community Articles" main page
General News · 17th May 2008
Carrie Saxifrage
If you are worried about the escalating cost of gas and/or the strange weather, you might find it empowering to learn about your own carbon emissions. A Cortes-specific carbon calculator is now available online at www.stonebreakerdesigns.com/footprint. If you want help or have questions, Barry and I will at a table at the Sustainability Home Show on Saturday May 24 from 10am to noon to help you through the calculator and give explanations where needed.

If you want our help figuring your emissions, please bring your best estimates of the following information for the past year:
1) air travel: points of origin, destinations, number of people;
2) driving: make and model of your vehicle, and approximate km/year;
3) ferry trips: estimates fine.
4) electricity use: kilowatt hours used this year (this can be taken from old power bills or if you pay online go to your consumption data table. We can also help you make a rough estimate); and
5) propane: estimated gallons of propane per year;
6) other fossil fuel use: estimated gallons of propane per year; number of liters of gas per year for generators, boats, power tools, etc.

We found that doing our carbon footprint gave us great information about how to reduce emissions and still enjoy our lifestyle. It's a relief to know where we stand, and we welcome the opportunity to share the calculator with you.
& Number ofChildren
Comment by Robert Carter on 3rd June 2008
Since humans have a "carbon footprint" should we not also calculate the carbon implications of having children. We seemed to have stopped talking about overpopulation but eventually our sheer numbers and associated developments will make reducing one's individual carbon footprints moot.
What About Woodburning ?
Comment by Walker Evans on 28th May 2008
How many cords of wood did we burn and were those fire efficient, wood dry etc ? Contrary to some schools of thought it is believed by some scientists that wood burning translates to particulates which land on snow and ice hastening melting. Planting some tree seedlings doesn't equate to the burning of wood and is not carbon neutral.