Green Treehouse

Lately, there’s a lot of talk in the news about carbon footprints. But what exactly is a carbon footprint? Does your baby have one? Do you? Does bigger mean better?

Here are the FAQs on carbon footprints. The answers to the questions you were hesitant to ask. Go ahead, impress your family and friends at the next playdate and tell them you learned it all at BabyEarth’s Green Treehouse.

What’s a Carbon Footprint? It’s a measure of human impact on the environment. A Carbon Footprint is calculated by considering our direct and indirect impacts on the environment. Specifically, it looks to the amount of greenhouse gases we produce (measured in units of Carbon Dioxide, also referred to as CO2). We influence the size of our footprint directly by burning fossil fuels (e.g., driving or using electricity) and indirectly through the production and processing of the products we consume (e.g., the CO2 emitted every step of the way in the creation and delivery of food or products).

Does Bigger Mean Better? Heck, no. A big footprint means a big impact. A Big impact on the Earth’s resources means higher costs for everyone now and potentially bigger problems for future generations, a reduction in natural resources, environmental impact, and even changes in the climate.

Does My Baby Have a Carbon Footprint? Sure. Your baby might not be old enough yet to drive, or understand the link between human activities and skyrocking costs and climate change, but even that adorable bundle of joy impacts the environment. Think indirect costs of diapers, feeding, and care (e.g., trips to the pediatrician).

Do I have a Carbon Footprint? Moms and Dads have footprints, too. But there are plenty of ways parents can reduce the size of their footprint, as well as their baby’s footprint. Simple lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on the environment, such as turning off unused home lighting, periodically alternating between disposable and cloth (or flushable) diapers, using public transportation, and consolidating errands and shopping trips–even shopping online.

Related Reading
BabyEarth: Protecting baby’s world in more ways than one

Related Posts
Can You Save the Planet By Spending Money?
What’s the Difference Between Organic and Natural?

Related Products
Halo Organic L/S Coverall
Naturpedic Organic Crib Mattress

Tags: babyearth, blog, carbon footprint, environmentalism, greentreehouse