A Carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases (most common are Carbon Dioxide and Methan) that are generated and emitted by our daily life actions. For example, the Carbon footprint for a person living in America is 16 tons/year on average (Canada 18 tons). Globally the average is closer to 4 tons.

Some scientists say to avoid rising global temperatures (+2 deg C), the average global carbon footprint must drop to about 2 tons/person/year by year 2050.

Lowering individual carbon footprints from 16 (Average American) tons to 2 tons doesn’t happen overnight! Only by making slight changes to our actions, like eating less meat, taking fewer connecting flights etc... these actions can start making a significant difference.

Here are Some insights/examples about Carbon intensity

1 Cup of Coffee - 21g

1 Cheeseburger - 4kg

1 Hour Surgery under anaesthetic - 24kg

Buying Cloths, textile, or a shoe worth of $100 per year - 30kg

Train Trip London to Paris (on Eurostar) - 4.1kg

Spending $200 per year on hotels - 80kg

Economy Return flight Bahrain to UK - 1.5 ton (7.5 tons on First Class)

Average UK Citizen - 5.3 tons

Bahraini annual emissions - 24 million tons (2016 data)

Saudi annual emissions - 517 million tons (2016 data)

China annual emissions - 10.4 billion tons (2016 data)

Global annual emissions - 36 billion tons

For a Houshold, Transport, housing and food have the three largest carbon footprints. Food average is at 17 to 20% of total household emissions.

Meat, cheese, and eggs have the highest carbon footprint. Fruit, vegetables, beans, and nuts have much lower carbon footprints.