An Example Abstract for the Carbon Footprint Report [160 words]
The relationship between climate change and the release of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activity is increasingly
accepted by the public, and is well established within the scientific
community. Here I examine my personal carbon footprint, including my
assumptions and methods of estimation. My footprint is approximately
13.7 metric tons per year divided among the following categories:
household (1.6 tons), Flights (1.6 tons), Car (2.3 tons), Bus and
Rail (0.2 tons), and indirect emissions due to consumption habits (8.0
tons). While my footprint is lower than the US average of 20.4 tons, it
is well above the world average (4.0 tons), and that of developing
countries such as India (1.2 tons). I discuss my results in the context
of the disproportionately high carbon emission of the US and the
consequences this has for ethical issues of fairness and practical
issues such as setting binding global emission targets (as exemplified
in the recent 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen).