What Is a Carbon Footprint?

The Main Reading Text

What is a carbon footprint? It's a way to measure the amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), that our everyday activities release into the air. A bigger footprint is not good for our Earth, but a smaller one helps to protect it.

Many things we do can make our carbon footprint bigger. Using electricity for our lights, computers, and air conditioners adds to it, because making electricity often burns fuel. How we travel is also important. Cars, buses, and airplanes all release CO2. Even the food we eat and the things we buy, from clothes to toys, add to our footprint because they need energy to be made and transported.

The good news is we can all do things to reduce, or make smaller, our carbon footprint. First, we can save energy by turning off lights and electronics when we are not using them. Second, we can travel smarter by walking or riding a bicycle for short trips. Third, we can eat more plant-based foods, which often have a smaller footprint than meat.

Finally, we should always try to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This means buying fewer new things, reusing items when possible, and recycling materials like paper and plastic. Every small action we take can make a difference. Together, we can have a big positive impact and help keep our planet healthy.

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

footprint

n.

[ˋfʊt͵prɪnt] — 足跡；印記

A mark left on a surface by a foot or shoe. In this text, it refers to a "carbon footprint," a measure of environmental impact.

• A bigger footprint is not good for our Earth.
  一個更大的（碳）足跡對我們的地球不好。
• We saw footprints in the sand.
  我們在沙灘上看到了腳印。

measure

v.

[ˋmɛʒɚ] — 測量

To find the size, quantity, etc. of something in standard units.

• It's a way to measure the amount of greenhouse gases.
  這是一種測量溫室氣體數量的方法。
• Can you measure the length of this table?
  你可以測量一下這張桌子的長度嗎？

release

v.

[rɪˋlis] — 釋放

To allow a substance to flow out from somewhere.

• Our activities release greenhouse gases into the air.
  我們的活動會將溫室氣體釋放到空氣中。
• The factory was fined for releasing chemicals into the river.
  那家工廠因向河中排放化學物質而被罰款。

transport

v.

[trænsˋpɔrt] — 運輸；運送

To take goods or people from one place to another.

• Foods need energy to be made and transported.
  食物需要能源來製造和運輸。
• The goods will be transported by truck.
  這些貨物將用卡車運輸。

reduce

v.

[rɪˋdjus] — 減少

To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

• We can all do things to reduce our carbon footprint.
  我們都可以做些事來減少我們的碳足跡。
• Please reduce your speed when driving near a school.
  在學校附近開車時請減速。

electronics

n.

[ɪ͵lɛkˋtrɑnɪks] — 電子產品

Equipment such as computers, phones, and televisions that use electric circuits.

• Turn off lights and electronics when you are not using them.
  不使用時要關掉電燈和電子產品。
• This store sells a wide range of consumer electronics.
  這家商店販售各種消費性電子產品。

impact

n.

[ˋɪmpækt] — 影響；衝擊

A powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person.

• Together, we can have a big positive impact.
  我們一起可以產生巨大的正面影響。
• The new law will have a significant impact on the economy.
  新法律將對經濟產生重大影響。