Estimate your household's greenhouse gas emissions.
Your estimated annual GHG emissions: — kg CO2e
Understanding Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. These gases play a crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature, but human activities have significantly increased their concentration, leading to global warming and climate change. This calculator provides an estimate of your household's contribution to these emissions based on common consumption patterns.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator estimates emissions from several key household activities:
Electricity Usage: The carbon intensity of electricity varies by region and energy source. We use a national average emission factor for grid electricity.
Natural Gas Usage: Burning natural gas releases CO2. The amount of CO2 produced depends on the volume of gas consumed.
Vehicle Travel: Gasoline combustion in vehicles is a major source of CO2. The emissions are calculated based on the distance driven, fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the CO2 content of gasoline.
Public Transportation: While generally more efficient per passenger mile than private vehicles, public transport also contributes to emissions.
Waste Production: Landfilled waste decomposes anaerobically, producing methane (CH4), a potent GHG. Emissions are estimated based on the weight of waste and typical decomposition rates.
Calculation Formulas (Simplified Averages)
The calculator uses simplified, average emission factors. Actual emissions can vary significantly based on location, specific energy sources, vehicle types, and waste management practices.
Electricity:Monthly kWh * 12 months/year * 0.47 kg CO2e/kWh (national average grid intensity)
Gasoline Vehicle Emissions:(Monthly Miles / MPG) * 19.6 lbs CO2/gallon * 2.20462 lbs/kg / 12 months/year * 12 months/year (Note: Calculation is simplified to miles per year first)
Public Transport:Monthly Miles * 12 months/year * 0.07 kg CO2e/Mile (average public transit intensity)
Waste:Weekly lbs * 52 weeks/year * 0.04 kg CO2e/lb (average landfill emissions factor including methane)
Total Emissions (kg CO2e/year) = Sum of emissions from Electricity, Natural Gas, Vehicle Travel, Public Transport, and Waste.
Use Cases
This calculator is useful for:
Raising Awareness: Understanding your personal carbon footprint.
Identifying Hotspots: Pinpointing areas where you can reduce emissions most effectively.
Tracking Progress: Monitoring the impact of lifestyle changes or energy efficiency upgrades.
Educational Purposes: Learning about the sources of household GHG emissions.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. For precise calculations, consult specialized tools or consult with environmental experts.
function calculateEmissions() {
// Get input values
var electricityUsage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("electricityUsage").value);
var naturalGasUsage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("naturalGasUsage").value);
var vehicleMiles = parseFloat(document.getElementById("vehicleMiles").value);
var vehicleFuelEfficiency = parseFloat(document.getElementById("vehicleFuelEfficiency").value);
var publicTransport = parseFloat(document.getElementById("publicTransport").value);
var wasteProduction = parseFloat(document.getElementById("wasteProduction").value);
// Emission factors (kg CO2e per unit) – These are average estimates and can vary.
var electricityFactor = 0.47; // kg CO2e per kWh (US average)
var naturalGasFactor = 5.3; // kg CO2e per Therm
var gasolineFactor = 19.6 / 2.20462; // kg CO2e per gallon, converted to kg CO2e per mile after accounting for MPG
var publicTransportFactor = 0.07; // kg CO2e per mile (average)
var wasteFactor = 0.04; // kg CO2e per lb of waste (includes methane from decomposition)
var totalEmissions = 0;
// Calculate emissions from Electricity
if (!isNaN(electricityUsage) && electricityUsage >= 0) {
var electricityEmissions = electricityUsage * 12 * electricityFactor;
totalEmissions += electricityEmissions;
} else {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Electricity Usage.");
return;
}
// Calculate emissions from Natural Gas
if (!isNaN(naturalGasUsage) && naturalGasUsage >= 0) {
var naturalGasEmissions = naturalGasUsage * 12 * naturalGasFactor;
totalEmissions += naturalGasEmissions;
} else {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Natural Gas Usage.");
return;
}
// Calculate emissions from Vehicle Travel
if (!isNaN(vehicleMiles) && vehicleMiles >= 0 && !isNaN(vehicleFuelEfficiency) && vehicleFuelEfficiency > 0) {
var gallonsUsed = vehicleMiles / vehicleFuelEfficiency;
var vehicleEmissions = gallonsUsed * gasolineFactor;
totalEmissions += vehicleEmissions;
} else {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for Vehicle Miles Driven and Vehicle Fuel Efficiency (MPG must be greater than 0).");
return;
}
// Calculate emissions from Public Transport
if (!isNaN(publicTransport) && publicTransport >= 0) {
var publicTransportEmissions = publicTransport * 12 * publicTransportFactor;
totalEmissions += publicTransportEmissions;
} else {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Public Transport Usage.");
return;
}
// Calculate emissions from Waste Production
if (!isNaN(wasteProduction) && wasteProduction >= 0) {
var wasteEmissions = wasteProduction * 52 * wasteFactor;
totalEmissions += wasteEmissions;
} else {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Weekly Household Waste.");
return;
}
// Display the result, rounded to 2 decimal places
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = 'Your estimated annual GHG emissions: ' + totalEmissions.toFixed(2) + ' kg CO2e';
}