Philippine Academy of Sakya
1463 G. Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz Manila
Computer and AP 10
Hidden Footprint: Modern Calculator of People’s Carbon Footprint
Submitted by: Group 1
Yashieca Chrislex Palapal
Nina Isabelle Quipid
Stephanie Danille Comprado
James Addison Arcillas
Ronin Damien Ocampo
Aedden Rui Ramos
Submitted to:
Ms. Laurie Jane Basangan and Ms. Catherine Machado
Computer and AP Teacher
Introduction
This proposal mainly revolves around the user's Carbon Footprint Contribution. Carbon
Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses (including carbon dioxide and methane) all
humanity generates. The researchers developed a system that is efficient, accessible, and free.
This system calculates the user’s estimated carbon footprint. Apart from that, COCal empowers
users to be mindful and educated about their carbon footprint emissions, making it a contributing
factor in raising awareness of the importance of carbon footprint and a way to promote
independence and responsibility amongst everyone. As the main contributors of “carbon
footprint” it is a responsibility to enlighten yourself on the said topic. On the contrary, humans
are also the only ones capable of creating good change for the world. So, CoCal aims to be a
reminder to everyone, a reminder to re-consider every decision. A reminder that every small thing
that humans do weighs heavy on the overall effects on the environment. CoCsl is made with the
intention of ‘awakening’ humans of what is the true state of the planet. Nowadays, change is not
only encouraged, but mandated. Knowledge about this topic is not only important but is essential
to each and everyone.
Background
Due to the inevitable increasing pollution, the researchers designed a system called
COcal, a modern carbon footprint calculator that aims to help the modern world’s alarming
environmental concern. Observing that most people are unaware of their daily contribution to
pollution and as well as the topic ‘Carbon Footprint’ itself, COcal aims to change the problems
mentioned above that the modern world is currently facing. As most humans are already aware,
the world is currently approaching the turning point of Global Warming. After the alarming
warning given, it is about time action is done, encouraged, and promoted. CoCal does not only
educated but also encourages collective actions that will lead to good change. Soon enough,
this system aims to see its contribution in reducing the effects of climate change. The
programmers of this system would also like to contribute to taking action against Global
Warming by developing a system that educates all contributors of carbon emissions and
encourages change in habits that unknowingly affect the environment in a long-term
manner. As carbon production increases, awareness of this topic doesn’t make it magically
disappear, but it encourages individuals to decrease their carbon production level.
.
Review of Related Literature
Carbon Footprint
On September 30, 2022, the FINANCIAL published an article that mainly talks about
how the effect of awareness includes action as its main beneficiary, and how much effort is put
on to solve this problem. The quantity of awareness is crucial, because - as long as we are unable
to open this topic onto a broader view, presentable to the populace, the worse the scenario gets.
It also delves into the impact of carbon emission itself. But in short, what was written in this
can be numerically ordered [as they themselves have done] in mainly six variables:
1. To mitigate the effect of global climate change
2. Prevent adverse effects on health and promote well-being.
3. To protect businesses and industries
4. Protect transitional risk in business.
5. To save biodiversity
6. Prevent economic stagnancy.
On February 10, 2018, Andrea Collins, Alessandro Galli, Nicoleta Patrizi, Federico Maria
Pulselli, shared their insights about how important it is to be aware about the topic of
maintaining our environment healthy. According to a definition provided by UNESCO (2007),
Education for Sustainable Development “prepares people to cope with and find solutions to
problems that threaten the sustainability of the planet” This article focuses on helping the
environment maintain its balanced equilibrium, in which its momentary goal is to subsequently
give solutions after they successfully enlighten ordinary citizens on the relevance of the carbon
footprint [since it is the main contributing factor.]
Statement of the problem:
1. What is carbon footprint?
2. How does it affect the climate change?
3. How can we calculate our carbon footprint accurately?
4. How important is it to have knowledge about carbon footprint?
On March 31, 2018, Harish Kumar and Manik Goyal published their Carbon Footprint of
Roads online. Based on their article that carbon footprint measures the total GHG emissions
caused directly by a person, organization, event, or product. Roads make transportation easier,
but the vehicles that use them release carbon dioxide and other pollutants. The amount and type
of traffic on a road can have a substantial impact on its carbon footprint. The main purpose of
this article is to reduce environmental damage and prevent climate change.
On Jan. 22, 2024, Noelle Eckley Selin. The total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions from all of entity's or person's activities is known as their "carbon footprint" (e.g.,
building, firm, country, etc.). It includes both the direct emissions produced by burning fossil
fuels for production, transportation, and heating as well as the emissions produced during the
process of producing the electricity required to power the consumed goods and services.
Moreover, the concept of a carbon footprint often includes the emissions of other greenhouse
gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
On June 24, 2022, publisher Kieran Mulvaney shared Mike Berners Lee insight about
how to calculate carbon footprint of consumer. According to Mike Berners Lee Carbon
Footprint is for most consumers in developed countries, these products and activities tend to fall
into four principal categories: household energy use, transport, food, and everything else. A
person’s carbon footprint is the combined total of the products they buy and use, the activities
they undertake, and so on.
There was a connection to our program because what we were discussing was about
people's carbon footprints. Similarly, in this literature, the carbon footprint of consumer or
passenger.
Carbon footprint reference
When considering a person's carbon footprint, it is important to note that it is measured
in units of carbon dioxide, representing the amount of greenhouse gas they generate. It is crucial
to recognize that an "average" carbon footprint falls within the range of 16,000 to 22,000 pounds
annually, while an "ideal" footprint is between 6,000 and 15,999 pounds. A carbon footprint is
considered very low if it is below 6,000 pounds and high if it exceeds 22,000 pounds. (Energy,
2022)
Carbon footprint formula
The carbon footprint formula involves two steps. The first step is data collection.
Individuals should gather information from their annual electricity bills to determine the
number of power units consumed in their homes. This can be found on monthly electricity bills
issued by the State Electricity Board/Distribution/Collection companies. The second step is the
calculation methodology. For electricity, the input value in KWh per year should be multiplied
by 0.85 (the emission factor) to get the output value in kilograms of CO2. For petrol, the input
value in liters per year should be multiplied by 2.296 (the emission factor) to get the output
value in kilograms of CO2. For diesel, the input value in liters per year should be multiplied by
2.653 (the emission factor) to get the output value in kilograms of CO2. For LPG, the input
value in kilograms per year should be multiplied by 2.983 (the emission factor) to get the output
value in kilograms of CO2. The total carbon footprint is calculated by adding the values
obtained in steps 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then dividing the sum by 1000 to get the total carbon
footprint in tons of CO2 (tCO2). (Telang, 2020)
Appliances Wattage Reference
Light Bulb
A 60-watt bulb is the standard. A 25-watt bulb gives off low levels of light, whereas a
100-watt bulb is very bright. (Superior Lighting, 2018)
Aircon
On average, an air conditioner uses 500 to 4,000 watts of electricity, depending on the
type of unit. Most central air conditioners use between 15 and 60 amps and about 240 volts,
while a window AC unit uses anywhere from 3 to 20 amps and 120 volts. A central AC unit
typically uses between 3,000 and 4,000 W, and a window AC unit uses between 500 and 1400
W. Air conditioners generally have a much lower "running" wattage than their stated wattage –
this is because they cycle on and off throughout the day. As a general rule of thumb, air
conditioners cycle on and off 2-3 times each hour for about 15-20 minutes at a time, which is
about 35 minutes every hour. So, a 3,000-watt central air conditioner actually will use about
1,950 watts each hour, and a 1,000-watt window AC unit will use about 650 watts each hour.
(Jacob Marsh, 2023)
Fridge
A home refrigerator's power consumption is typically between 300 to 800 watts of
electricity, or between 3 and 6 amps and about 120 volts. Importantly, refrigerators generally
have a much lower "running" wattage than their stated average wattage this is because they
cycle on and off throughout the day. As a general rule of thumb, you can divide your
refrigerator's wattage by 3 to estimate its actual energy usage. So, a 500-watt refrigerator
actually will use about 167 running watts. The exact amount of power your refrigerator uses
depends on how old it is and its make and model. (Jacob Marsh, 2023)
Television
Generally, TVs use between 50 to 200 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model.
Most TVs use less than one amp and connect to a 120-volt outlet. Older TVs that use technology
such as Plasma and CRT are much less efficient compared to newer LED and LCD TVs.
Nowadays, it's around three hours per day. Assuming an average TV wattage of 100 W If you
watch TV 1.5 hours per day, that's 1.05 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per week, 4.55 kWh
per month, and 54.6 kWh per year. Running that same TV 3 hours per day comes to 2.1 kWh
per week, 9.1 kWh per month, and 109.2 kWh per year. If you run a 100 W TV for 4.5 hours
per day, that's 3.15 kWh of electricity per week, 13.65 kWh per month, and 163.8 kWh per
year. In this article, we'll mostly be referring to the electricity used by TVs in terms of kWh.
The reason is simple: your electric bill is measured in kWh, and you get charged based on the
kWh of electricity you use per month. (Jacob Marsh, 2023)
Washing machine
On average, a washing machine uses 400 to 1,400 watts (W) of electricity, depending on
the model. Most washing machines use between 5 and 15 amps and connect to a 120-volt outlet.
The washing machine has the biggest impact on how much electricity it uses over time, and
households have all sorts of laundry routines. Assuming a wash cycle takes one hour, if you run
a 900 W washing machine once a week, that's 0.9 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per week,
3.9 kWh per month, and 46.8 kWh per year, Running that same washer three times a week
comes to 2.7 kWh per week, 11.7 kWh per month, and 140.4 kWh per year and if you run a
900 W washing machine every day, that's 6.3 kWh of electricity per week, 27.3 kWh per month,
and 327.6 kWh per year. (Jacob Marsh, 2023)
Clothes Iron
Modern clothing irons may also come with a special water reservoir which is heated to
provide steam during ironing. An iron will use 800 to 2000 watts, with an average iron using
1100 watts when heated on high. (EnergyUseCalculator, 2024)
Electric Fan
Every kind of fan has a different fan wattage. Box fans have wattages ranging between
73 to 220 watts, while ceiling fans can have power ratings of 55 to 100 watts for the larger
models, making them the fans with the lowest operating wattage. Following them are table or
standing fans, with wattages ranging between 42 and 110 watts, and tower fans, with wattages
of about 56-110 watts. Box fans have the highest fan wattage, ranging between 73 and 220
watts, but they typically move more air than table or tower fans. 33 watts is the most common
fan wattage. The running costs of a fan depend on its wattage, with higher wattage ratings
resulting in more impact on electricity bills. Specific fan wattage details by fan type are as
follows: for ceiling fans, the average wattage is 3.6 watts on low and 31.1 watts on high; for
box fans, the average wattage is 47.3 watts on low and 73 watts on high; for tower fans, the
average wattage is 44 watts on low and 56.5 watts on high; and for table/standing fans, the
average wattage is 17 watts on low and 42.5 watts on high (John & John, 2023).
Recommendations
Aircon
Based on tests, an Inverter Fan with a typical power consumption of 29W will only cost
you around P7 if you use it for 24 hours! That’s half of the conventional electric fans which
would cost you P15 per day. Practically, you get more than 50% energy savings with Inverter
Fans and Electric Fans over Aircons to save on electricity bills. They still consume a good
amount of energy though, especially when they are running the whole day. That’s why an
Inverter Fan is a wise investment. (Abenson, 2020)
Refrigerator
Having a refrigerator in your kitchen is an essential part of life these days, which means
they are not bad for the environment on their own. However, there has been some concern
recently about fridges that use hazardous substances like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or HCFC's
(hydrofluorocarbons). If you are concerned about your fridge's impact on the environment, be
sure to take a look at the materials used in its construction. There are other concerns regarding
steel utilized in refrigerators and freezers. Steel has a significant carbon footprint as well as relies
on environmentally harmful iron ore mining. (Greenhive, 2021)
Fan
Based on tests, an Inverter Fan with a typical power consumption of 29W will only cost
you around P7 if you use it for 24 hours. That’s half of the conventional electric fans which
would cost you P15 per day. Practically, you get more than 50% energy savings with Inverter
Fans to save on electricity bills. They still consume a good amount of energy though, especially
when they are running the whole day! That’s why an Inverter Fan is a wise investment this
summer. (Abenson, 2020)
Light Bulb
Low-energy bulbs used slightly less energy when first switched on, gradually building up
to a continual wattage. Fitting Low Energy Light Bulbs is simple, helps the environment and
should reduce your lighting bills. Both CFL light bulbs (low-energy light bulbs) and LED light
bulbs offer substantial energy savings. LED bulbs offer a greater saving overall using less
energy and lasting longer at 60,000 hours, however, a greater initial investment is required. By
swapping a normal bulb for an energy-saving bulb you could cut energy wastage by three-
quarters and save £9 on your electricity bill. (Carbon Footprint Ltd, 2015)
LEDs have two main benefits in comparison to light bulbs. First, they produce the same
amount of light as light bulbs but with much less electricity, and second, because they don’t
‘burn’ they last a great deal longer. If you want to save a great deal of money, then one of the
ways you can in regards to your home is by replacing all your light bulbs with their LED
equivalents. (September 2018, Superior Lighting )
Washing machine
* Use an Energy-Efficient Washing Machine. Inverter washing machines run on a brushless
motor. As such, this means much greater reductions in friction. This, in turn, means a longer
running lifespan of your appliance.
* Use Cold Water When Possible. Cold water is just as effective as warm or hot water cycles
for regular use.
* Don't Wash All Your Clothes After Wearing Them Just Once. It may sound counterintuitive
to what you were taught growing up, but some clothes can be worn multiple times before they
need to be washed. The most widely known laundry detergent brands commonly contain
ingredients that not only harm the environment but can be harmful to your family as well.
* Choose Eco-Friendly Detergents, from artificial fragrances and dyes to formaldehyde, the
complex range of chemicals in most detergents that serve a purpose for cleaning. But the harm
they can cause the environment far outweighs their benefits.
* Choose More Natural Clothing Fibers. Seeking more eco-friendly laundry solutions can go
beyond the decisions you make to clean your current wardrobe. You can develop
environmentally friendly buying decisions to include clothing that’s better for the environment.
* Wash Fuller Loads, you may think that smaller loads would conserve energy One of the most
empowering aspects of thinking green is the ability to make better use of your resources.
* Reuse Your Laundry Water, this may not be an obvious option for most people, but you can
reuse greywater from your washing cycle. Greywater is the relatively clean water from laundry,
showers, and your household sink (Wiki Energy, 2022)
Clothes Iron
Ironing five shirts a week for a year is equivalent to driving 7 miles in an average car. It’s not
the worst thing to happen to the environment, but it offers room to cut down on carbon
emissions with pretty regular alternatives.
To reduce your carbon footprint here, you can:
Reduce how frequently you iron.
Iron while the shirt is slightly damp to dry and press at once (this will reduce emissions from
using a dryer)
Use energy-efficient irons (Berners-Lee, 2021)
Television
- Watching TV contributes between up to 85% of its total carbon footprint, so picking an
energy-efficient model is an effective way to help slash your emissions.
Environment-friendly TV models:
TCL 5-Series
TCL 3-Series (49”)
LG B8
TCL 3-Series (40”)
Tips for reducing TV power consumption:
* Turn off or unplug your TV when not in use
* Lower your TV screen's brightness
* Adjust your screen's contrast
* Set your TV to energy save mode
* Use the sleep timer feature
* Take advantage of standby mode
* Switch to picture-off mode when possible
(Tim De Chant, 2019)
General Recommendations
These days, you might be thinking about how to reduce your carbon footprint. It is impossible
to miss news about the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels. While the problem is big,
the little changes you make every day can help contribute to a cleaner, greener future.
Drive less
- Driving a car is a major source of greenhouse gasses. Cutting down on the miles you drive is
one of the best things you can do to reduce carbon emissions. Organize shopping trips to get
more done on each outing, walk or bike when distances are shorter, and use public
transportation as much as possible.
Cut down on air conditioning
- Cut usage of the most power-intensive appliance in your car. Running your air conditioning
less frequently or raising the temperature so that your system does not work as hard will reduce
your carbon footprint.
Eat less meat and stick with fruits, veggies, grains and beans
Raising animals requires more energy than growing plants.
When you consider using power to produce and ship their food, then ship them to
processing and eventually to market, you are talking about a sizable carbon footprint. One of
the delicious and healthy ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to switch to high-protein
vegetables and certain grains for some of your meals.
Reduce your food waste
- Buying more food than you need and throwing it away wastes the food item itself, along with
all the resources used to get it to you.
Compost
- Dealing with waste consumes energy. A garbage truck needs to pick it up from your home,
haul it to a landfill or processing center, and then undergo even more energy-using processing.
By composting some of your organic waste, you cut down on the volume of refuse headed for
the dump and also create useful organic matter for fertilizing your garden.
Use reusable cups, plates, utensils, bottles and containers
- Disposable utensils used once and tossed after a meal are a tremendous waste of resources and
contribute to your carbon footprint. Many items are made of plastic derived from oil. The
carbon footprint includes the material itself and the energy used in manufacturing and
transporting it to you. Once used, it becomes waste which consumes even more energy.
Switching to reusable containers has a much lower impact on the environment.
Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use
- Many people waste energy by leaving unused lights on for hours. Another common energy-
wasting habit is leaving appliances plugged in when not in use. Modern appliances in stand-by
mode draw small amounts of power all the time. When you unplug appliances, you can save
energy.
Change incandescent light bulbs
- Incandescent light bulbs produce more heat than light. Switching to LED or CFL bulbs
eliminates this waste, while providing a longer useful life. The result is that you will replace
them less frequently and send less waste to landfills. CFL bulbs are made with some toxic
ingredients, so learn how to recycle light bulbs like these.
Recycle effectively
- Handling waste can be a carbon-intensive process. Recycling reduces the waste going to
landfills and gives plastics made from fossil fuels a second life. While recycling programs vary
by location, you can recycle common items and help reduce your carbon footprint.
Buy only what you need
- We live in a time of abundance, so it is easy to fall into the habit of buying things on a whim
that you may end up not really needing. Be mindful when shopping to avoid wasteful purchases
that could drive up your carbon footprint.
Bring a reusable bag
- Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels and add to the pollution of the planet–particularly
in our oceans. Reusable bags are an easy way to eliminate this waste.
Talk to family and friends about climate change issues and carbon footprints
- While no one wants to be lectured or scolded, sharing tips for reducing carbon footprints
can magnify the impact you make in reducing energy consumption. You could be helping them
save money, too. (Constellation, 2024)
References
The FINANCIAL (2022) The Importance of Gaining Awareness to Reduce Carbon
Emissions https://finchannel.com/the-importance
A. Collins, A.Galli, N. Patrizi, F. M. Pulselli, (2018) The Importance of Carbon
Footprint Estimation Boundaries
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652617326756?fbclid=IwAR2mic
ne l75TH9oEvHnpI_jYLpQ5BcWakC689yS2Knoi66fSZmAOPt00BCM
H. Kumar and M. Goyal (2018) Carbon Footprint of Roads
https://www.ijert.org/carbon-footprint-of-roads-a-literature-
review?fbclid=IwAR0W9HWk7oSO9ndvfu3mmn1AtHAEqggG7U56WyZ3yqXgJHA7xlLEc1
7 eJKo
N. Selin (2024) Carbon footprint, ecology, and conservation
https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-footprint
K. Mulvaney (2022) What is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yours
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-how-to-
measure-yours?fbclid=IwAR02-dxe1liKescX0wr5JkW-Kf0KZegCvH6_gf0ET6UuG-
wal1jTsA_trVY
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