Nearly everything you do can influence the environment. One common name for this concept is your “carbon footprint.” At Green Mountain Energy, we describe this term as all the greenhouse gas emissions you create in everyday life. It includes activities like:

• Driving your car
• Running your air conditioner or heater
• Buying groceries (especially those grown in faraway places)
• Throwing away trash instead of recycling

However, it can be difficult to measure how much your actions might impact the planet. Thankfully, you can use a carbon footprint calculator to estimate that amount. We recommend the one created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as it uses a helpful range of questions to create its estimates.

To learn about carbon footprints, carbon offsets and other related topics, check out these helpful resources:

• Renewable Energy 101
• Get Closer to Carbon Neutral with Carbon Offsets
• How to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
• What Carbon Offsets Do