Fighting the climate crisis on an individual level may seem pointless, but knowledge is power. Here's how to understand and calculate your own carbon footprint. The increase in greenhouse gases has contributed to climate change. The vast majority of these gases come from carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. When it comes to managing the amount of carbon dioxide we emit into the atmosphere, we measure our impact in the so-called carbon footprint. But what is a carbon footprint and how can you calculate yours? Here's what you need to know and how to calculate it using online tools.

What is a carbon footprint?

The term "carbon footprint" might evoke thoughts of Taylor Swift's use of private jets or about the huge tonnage of carbon that some oil conglomerates spew into the atmosphere. However, as he describes it The Nature Conservancy , "a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions." (John Bogna)