There is only one planet Earth! Unlike a wet footprint, your carbon footprint does not dry and disappear. Every time you use a fossil fuel, which is a natural fuel or energy source, like coal or gas, you create a gas called carbon dioxide. Most scientists believe that carbon dioxide and other gases like it are contributing to global warming or the slow climate change of our planet. Global warming causes lots of problems for animals and people.
People use electricity in their homes to turn on lights, plug in kitchen appliances like a toaster or a microwave, and even watch TV or play video games. When you use electricity in your home, you are not creating carbon dioxide, but the power plants that create your electricity do emit carbon dioxide. Power plants that use coal for energy create the most carbon dioxide.
Trash can contribute to your carbon footprint. The EPA thinks that for every pound of trash you throw away, you create one pound of greenhouse gases. As it decays, trash creates carbon dioxide and methane, which is another type of greenhouse gas.
Cars are another thing that contribute to your carbon footprint. This happens because the gas that your car uses to run produces carbon dioxide.
Our carbon footprint represents the amount of greenhouse gases produced by our lifestyle choices. By considering our lifestyle choices we can reduce our carbon footprint and decrease our contribution to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
After our conversation Earth Kids will select one behaviour they will commit to change. How will they remind themselves to make this change? Are there other people they could also encourage to make changes e.g. siblings, parents, another class?
Why is it important to reduce our carbon footprint?
Is it just families and schools who need to reduce their carbon footprint?
How could this class, this school, or this town reduce their carbon footprint? How could we let others know how important it is to reduce carbon footprint? What bene ts could come from reducing carbon footprints?
What may happen if we can not reduce our carbon footprint?
Each week we either begin or end our session in an easy pose with the Hands-to-Heart. Take a deep breath in through the nose and exhale to chant the sound of Om. Stand to flow with “Hello Sun! Hello Earth! Hello Rain! Hello Wind! Hello Ocean! Hello Wind! Hello Rain! Hello Earth! Hello Sun!” In easy pose with the Hands-to-Heart, Namaste.
