maia

What is a carbon footprint?

Imagine you’re walking on a beach. See your footprints in the sand? That’s kind of like your carbon footprint, but instead of sand, it’s the mark you leave on the Earth (Papatūānuku) with your everyday actions.

We all have a carbon footprint. The more greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO₂), that YOU produce, the larger your carbon footprint and the greater your impact on the Earth (Papatūānuku).

A footprint in the sand
A picture of a girl named Hei

Hei: Always leaves lights on, gets driven everywhere, and loves long hot showers.

Result? A massive carbon footprint.

A picture of a boy named Mikaere

Mikaere: Cycles to school, turns off devices, and puts on a jumper instead of cranking up the heat.

His footprint? Much smaller.