What makes this carbon calculator different?

Three things set the Brighter Planet carbon footprint calculator apart: we include all your emissions, we use a flexible average-based approach, and we store your info in a profile so you can track your emissions over time.

1. We try to include all the emissions your lifestyle produces in our footprint estimate. That means we look at other greenhouse gases besides carbon dioxide. It also means that instead of just looking at transportation and shelter, we also include your consumables and government emissions. That’s important, because building a cleaner future means taking responsibility for the stuff we buy and the services we use, not just for our tailpipes and light bulbs.

2. Our average-based approach lets us estimate your total emissions right from the get-go. We start by assuming you emit as much as the average American. Every time you answer a question, we adjust your footprint depending on how you compare to the average. The more you tell us, the more accurate our estimate. And if you don’t feel like answering every question, that’s cool too—we’ll just use the average instead of a personalized value.

3. All your footprint data is stored in your profile. Our calculator is more than just a quick shapshot of your current emissions — it is an ongoing footprint management tool. You can return time and again to answer questions in more detail, make adjustments that reflect changes in your life, and track your progress at reducing your climate impact as time goes by.

To learn more, check out this step-by-step description of how we calculate your footprint, or go try it for yourself!

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