Environmental week.
Welcome to the HTS Environmental Week. We will focus on understanding
and reducing our carbon footprint and water footprint. These concepts
are key to our efforts in protecting the environment and promoting
sustainability. Let’s dive into what these terms mean and explore how we
can make a difference.
Understanding Carbon Footprint
What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gasses,
especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), that are emitted directly or indirectly by
our activities. These emissions contribute to global warming and climate
change. Our carbon footprint includes:
● Energy Use: the electricity and heating we use at home and school.
● Transportation: emissions from cars, buses, and airplanes.
● Food: emissions from growing, processing, and transporting food.
● Products: emissions from manufacturing and disposing of goods.
Ways to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint:
1. Energy Efficiency: turn off lights and electronics when not in use, use
energy-efficient appliances, and consider renewable energy sources
like solar power.
2. Sustainable Transportation: walk, bike, carpool, or use public
transport to reduce vehicle emissions.
3. Dietary Choices: eat more plant-based meals, which typically have a
lower carbon footprint than meat and dairy.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: minimize waste by reusing items, recycling
materials, and reducing consumption.
Understanding Water Footprint
What is a Water Footprint?
A water footprint measures the total volume of fresh water used to
produce the goods and services we consume. This includes direct water
use, like drinking and bathing, as well as indirect water use, such as water
used in agriculture and manufacturing. Our water footprint consists of:
● Direct Use: water used for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and personal
hygiene.
● Indirect Use: water used to produce food, clothing, electronics, and
other products.
Ways to Reduce Our Water Footprint:
1. Water Conservation: fix leaks, take shorter showers, and turn off the
tap while brushing teeth.
2. Efficient Water Use: use water-efficient appliances and fixtures, and
practice smart landscaping with drought-resistant plants.
3. Mindful Consumption: choose products that require less water to
produce and support sustainable agricultural practices.
4. Education and Awareness: learn about water issues and share
knowledge on conserving water resources.
ACTIVITY: to be done at home with your family.
1) Calculating your or your family carbon footprint using a C-footprint
online calculator:
[Link]
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Look at which areas contribute the most to your carbon footprint. This will
help you identify where you can make the most significant changes.
2) Copy the obtained C footprint values and add it to the excel file
[Link]
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3) Do the same with the Water footprint calculator (Using a water
footprint calculator can help you understand how much water you
consume both directly and indirectly, and identify areas where you
can reduce your water usage):
[Link]
