What exactly is a "carbon footprint"?

There are a few different concepts that this term applies to and this can create some confusion. This is also a simple expression used to define complex concepts in carbon calculations. We will try and disentangle this and make it easy for you (and your baby) to understand. 
The general definitions of are as follows:

"Individual" or "Consumer" Carbon Footprint:

This is the term that generally applies to us; moms, dads, kids, etc. The needs of our daily lives and the activities we engage in will create carbon emissions. These in turn have an effect upon the level of the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere and add to environmental pollution. 
An individual’s carbon footprint consists of two parts:

1.    Primary Footprint: These are the things we have, by and large, a bit of control over. The primary footprint is our carbon emissions resulting from burning of fossil fuels for auto and airplane transportation, emissions related to our disposal of wastes and the environmental impacts we have upon our water supplies. You can best balance your family’s carbon impact by acting with your primary carbon footprint in mind.

2.   Secondary Footprint: This part of your, and your baby’s, footprint is formed by the indirect carbon emissions created in any product’s manufacturing process, the transportation of , and the long-term effects of disposal of these products. Your choice in products, and how much you consume, has a direct relation to the size of your secondary footprint.

"Industrial" or "Commercial" Carbon Footprint

This term, according to some purists, is the original basis for the term. It refers to the amount of carbon emissions an industry, manufacturing process, power generation facility, landfill site, etc. creates in the process of its functions. These carbon emissions are calculated on a fairly large and complicated scale, as you can imagine, and any industry’s carbon dioxide output has a significant impact upon the volume of greenhouse gases. Thus it can be said that the carbon footprint of a coal power plant is larger than the emissions from a hydroelectric dam. (The dam does, however, have other significant impacts upon global warming but let’s stick to the point.) Many industries’ carbon impact is calculated and registered with the Chicago Carbon Exchange, amongst others, for compliance with the Kyoto Protocols and other regulatory agencies. Regardless of the industry or methods, you do have the possibility of impacting an industry’s carbon footprint by your product purchase choices, by being informed, sharing your knowledge and getting involved with local activist organizations who address your similar concerns.

For more detailed information on greenhouse gases, climate change
and global warming, check out www.buy-climate-smart.com!