Urban Environment - Carbon Footprint Calculation
Initial Publication Date: March 10, 2008
Summary
Students compile information on energy usage and compute their "Carbon Footprint" using a calculator on the internet. This particular calculator is easy to use and includes options for public transportation.
Context
Audience
Any introductory geoscience course could use this activity Designed for a geophysics course
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
no skills necessary
How the activity is situated in the course
this is a stand alone exercise
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
evaluation of lifestyle - connections with sustainability themes
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
simple changes students can make that can alter their overall greenhouse gas emissions
Other skills goals for this activity
Description of the activity/assignment
Students gather information regarding their household's usage of energy, in addition to how much energy they consume for transportation. By going to a "Carbon Footprint" calculator on the internet, they can compute their total carbon score. Students can then see what lifestyle changes they can make to lower their scores. Uses online and/or real-time data
Determining whether students have met the goals
To goal is to see that students have made connections between their everyday activities and their impact to the environment
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
- Activity Description/Assignment (Microsoft Word 23kB Mar10 08)