Carbon Footprint

Activity Summary
Students will initially watch a brief video summarizing the effects of excess carbon dioxide usage (An excerpt from Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”). Students will calculate their individual carbon footprint by using a standard equation and plugging in their monthly carbon usage (students are provided a sheet with the average carbon dioxide output of machines used in a typical household). Students will compare their carbon footprint to their classmates and to other individuals around the world.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Calculate personal carbon footprints
2. Compare individuals’ carbon footprints with averages from individuals around the world

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plan

Keywords
carbon footprint, global warming, climate

Last updated: 3/3/2015