Name:

Class:

Date:

WebQuest: Carbon Footprint

Step 1: What is a Carbon Footprint?
1. Using the website(s) listed in Step 1 of the instruction page, define carbon
footprint:

2. Write down three activities that produce carbon dioxide.

Step 2: The CO2Effect

Using the website(s) listed in Step 2 of the instruction page, click on the Mission
Briefing screen to answer the following questions:
3. What is the name that scientists give to substances in our atmosphere that allow
light in, but do not allow heat to escape?

4. List 4 things that we are doing that add extra greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere.

5. What is the name of the greenhouse gas that humans release the most of?
What would the Earths average temperature be if humans did not add this gas
unnaturally?

6. What percentage of greenhouse gases added by humans does CO 2 make up?

7. How long does CO2 last in the atmosphere?

8. Name 3 different things that people do on a daily basis that puts CO 2 in the
atmosphere.

Step 3: Your Familys Carbon Footprint

Copy your results from Nature.orgs Carbon Footprint Calculator into the table. Find
three other classmates and copy down their first row into the table. Then answer
the analysis questions.
You

The U.S.
Average

The World
Average

Estimated Greenhouse
Gas Emissions (tons
CO2/year)
Classmate A Emissions
(tons CO2/year)
Classmate B Emissions
(tons CO2/year)
Classmate C Emissions
(tons CO2/year)

Analysis Questions:
9. How does your estimated CO2 emissions compare to the U.S. average? Are you
below, at, or above the average?

10.How does your estimated CO2 emissions compare to the world average?

11.Record YOUR behavior breakdown and the U.S. AVERAGE breakdown in the table
below.
My
Behaviors

Percentage of
CO2 Emissions
(%)

U.S. Average
Behaviors

Home Energy

Home Energy

Driving & Flying

Driving & Flying

Food & Diet

Food & Diet

Recycling &
Waste

Recycling &
Waste

Percentage of CO2
Emissions (%)

Step 4: What You Can Do About It

In the first column, write down 2-3 ways that you are producing CO 2. In the second
column, record a goal to reduce your carbon footprint in that area. Besides writing
WHAT your goal is, be sure to write WHEN you want to reach that goal. In the third
column, include 2-3 realistic steps to reach your goal. This is HOW you intend to
complete your goal.

How Are You

Producing Extra CO2?

Goal to Decrease Your

Carbon Footprint

2-3 Steps You Will Do

to Complete The Goal

Example:
I am using too much
electricity. Power plants
need to use more coal to
make the extra electricity
I use. Burning the coal
puts CO2 into the
atmosphere.

Example:
I want to reduce the
electricity I use this year.

Example:
1. Unplug unused
electronics.
2. Shut down our
computers each night,
not just hibernate
them.
3. Turn off lights when
we exit rooms.

1.

2.

3.