How Can I Reduce My Carbon Footprint? Gauge Your Vehicle's Emissions With MIT's Carbon Counter App

If the recent announcement about irreversible carbon dioxide levels scared you as much as it should have, you’re probably wondering a few things:

1. Wow, how did we do this to ourselves?
2. How eco-conscious am I being? Take a quick quiz to find out. 
3. And finally, how can I reduce my carbon footprint? 

Now, let’s focus on that last question. While individual people impact global warming on a molecular level, climate change is a problem we must address and fix collectively. Evaluating how much carbon dioxide we release into the air is a small, but important factor to consider.

How Much Greenhouse Gas Does My Vehicle Emit?

There are various types of greenhouse gases, but according to an inventory report done by the Environmental Protection Agency, carbon dioxide accounted for over 80 percent of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions in 2014.

On top of that, the same report found that 26 percent of greenhouse emissions in the economic sector came from transportation.

Cars and trucks obviously release a large amount of unhealthy pollutants into the air, but exactly how much depends on their specific make and model.

At this point, you’re probably wondering how your vehicle compares to other models on the market, right? Well, this carbon counter app from MIT’s Trancik Lab shows exactly where you fit in.

 As you might expect, electric and hybrid cars are the least toxic and most cost-efficient vehicles on the market. Comparatively, many of the large, gas-powered trucks and SUVs don’t fare too well in the rankings.

All but three of the vehicle specifications and measurements are based on 2014 models, but the application’s findings still provide a detailed look at how different types of vehicles affect the environment.

Take a hard look at the numbers.

Is your vehicle part of the problem, or part of the solution?