Here at GoKid, we are passionate about caring for the earth. So, it should come as no surprise that we are always looking for ways for families to reduce their carbon footprint. We are beyond thrilled that GoKid families have already reduced over 5 million pounds of CO2 just by carpooling through our GoKid app. But, reducing your carbon footprint goes beyond carpooling. That’s why we believe it should be a whole family affair, which is why today’s blog focuses on how to reduce the carbon footprint for kids.
Explaining Why Our Carbon Footprint Matters to Kids
Begin by sharing a carbon footprint definition for kids. Sciencing does a great job of explaining carbon footprint in kid-friendly terms:
“A footprint is a mark you leave by walking. The way you live also leaves a mark. Many things we do in life, such as producing energy, driving cars, and raising livestock, generate gases that contribute to climate change. And almost all of these gases are carbon compounds. That’s why the effect your life has on climate change is called your carbon footprint.”
After explaining what a carbon footprint is to kids, it is time to explain why it matters. All of our individual choices will leave a lasting impression on the earth. Do you want your choices to cause positive or negative impressions?
Causes of Carbon Footprint
There is plenty of information available about how the way you use energy results in a bigger or smaller carbon footprint. In less than two minutes, you can learn all about carbon footprint in Mocomi Kids’ What is Carbon Footprint? – Environmental Science for Kids video.
After watching the video, spend some time talking about the things your family can do better regarding your energy choices.
Kid-Friendly Carbon Footprint Calculator
The best way to make the lesson click with kids is to find a way for them to see their own carbon footprint. This is where the carbon footprint calculator for kids WWF produces is helpful. It is a simple questionnaire that includes easy-to-understand basics about reducing one’s carbon footprint. We also like this packet created by EnergyStar that includes a carbon footprint calculator for kids that involves kids coloring an actual foot based on their energy choices.
Check Out These Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint, Kids!
Once kids understand what carbon footprint is and have calculated their family’s carbon footprint, it is time to take action to reduce it.
- A Carbon Footprint Activity for Kids at Home – Make it visual. This blog from Kitchen Counter Chronicles includes a great carbon footprint activity for kids that serves as a visual reminder of ways to reduce your carbon footprint starting at home, such as not wasting water, turning off lights, and composting.
- Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Outside – There are lots of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint when you are outside your home, such as walking, biking, or carpooling whenever possible and planting a garden in your yard. We also like this kid-friendly tip from NASA Climate Kids: “Stay out of the drive-thru! When you go to a fast-food place, ask your driver to park the car and let you walk inside, rather than sitting in a line of cars with the engine running and polluting.”
- How to Reduce Carbon Footprint for Kids at School – When kids come together, amazing things can happen – just look at Greta Thunberg! So, if your school needs to do a better job of reducing its carbon footprint, start an eco-group, look for ways to reduce waste, and encourage other kids to change their transportation methods. For more tips, check out Climate-Friendly Schools: What Your School Can Do.
- Ways to Reduce Your Family’s Travel Footprint – Ultimately, kids have to go where their parents go, but there are still things you can do to encourage your family to reduce your travel footprint. For instance, since airplane travel leaves a massive carbon footprint, encourage your family to travel to destinations you can get to by bus or train. Of course, you aren’t in charge of this decision. But, you can choose to pack light and avoid food and water waste. And, if you do have to fly, encourage your parents to choose an airline that offers a program that will offset the impact of your flight like Delta.
Since we are passionate about protecting our environment here at GoKid, we have a collection of articles to help families go green. For more tips on reducing your carbon footprint, check out these articles:
