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Carbon Footprint Calculator
Have you calculated your own carbon footprint yet?
If not then try this calculator: http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk
In my opinion, this one is the best avaiable. It’s quick, easy and gives you practical tips on doing your bit at home to reduce emissions (and save money).
Its also a good thing to do with your partner, family, housemates or friends (pets don't seem that interested in my experience) as it provokes healthy discussion about changes you can make. You can also compare yourself with the national average too.
Note: the calculations used in this carbon calculator are pretty much the best available at present (developed by the UK Department for Environment Agriculture and Rural Affairs). However, its important to remember that this doesn't include the emissions which result from all the stuff you buy (which is often largely manufactured overseas). These are often known as 'embedded', 'imported' or 'offshore' carbon emissions and its part of the reason many environmentalists go on about buying stuff locally.
Just tried this one and scored 3.37 tonnes: 2.99 for the house itself (damp draughty flat in old building with crappy non-storage heaters), 0.38 for appliances, and 0 for travel. Now I'm not entirely convinced about the zero rating for travel. I don't fly, and I don't have a car, but surely the odd train journey will leave a little bit of footprint. I think the action plans also need some improving: mine included things like getting an A-rated dishwasher (is this really better than no dishwasher at all? does anyone know?), and the other one to make more use of public transport (which, I stated, I never use for local journeys - I always walk!).
What really frustrates me, though, is all the nice talk in the more general action plan about getting solar heaters and so on, but when it comes to people actually trying to do this, they see themselves faced with big stumbling blocks (aka local councils). Friends of mine wanted to install a small wind turbine on their roof that could have supplied 2/3 of their large house's electricity supply. Turned down for purely formal reasons. Then the same people convinced my (and their) local Quaker Meeting to put a solar panel on the Meeting House roof that could have supplied more electricity than needed, hence put some back in the grid as well. The Meeting was very supportive. Result: Turned down by the council, saying the Meeting House is in a conservation area. Aaaarrrgghh!!!
So effectively the direct government website is encouraging us to do things (amongst others that we can do, of course) that then get blocked by local governments.
A rated dishwashers apparently can be more environmentally friendly than hand washing if used to their full capacity. If you live on your own I guess washing by hand is better. Also depends on your washing up technique. If it involves rinsing under a tap, then its not so good. Here's an article:
