This children’s article, A kids’ guide to understanding our carbon footprint and why it matters, has been written for native English speakers and for learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and explore how everyday actions leave a mark on the planet. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced teacher and writer.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the mark we leave on the environment through our daily activities. Every time we do something that produces greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, we are adding to our footprint. This can happen when we use electricity, travel by car, or even eat certain foods.
Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contribute to global warming, which is the Earth getting warmer over time.
Everyday actions and their effects
Many ordinary activities create a carbon footprint. Turning on lights, playing video games, or travelling in a car all produce greenhouse gases. Even the foods we eat can make a difference: some meals require more energy to produce than others. Learning about carbon footprints helps children understand how people and their choices connect to the world around them.
How actions can vary
Different activities affect the planet in different ways. Some produce more greenhouse gases, and some produce less. Walking or cycling instead of using a car, turning off lights when they aren’t needed, or enjoying more fruits and vegetables are examples of actions with smaller footprints. Thinking about these differences helps children see how human actions add up in the environment.
Carbon footprints around the world
Carbon footprints aren’t the same for everyone. People in different countries, with different lifestyles and resources, leave different marks on the planet.
Scientists and communities study these patterns to understand global warming and find ways to care for the environment.
For more information, visit Conservation International’s article What is a carbon footprint?
Article vocabulary list
- Carbon footprint: The impact of human activities on the environment, measured by the greenhouse gases we produce.
- Greenhouse gases: Gases, like carbon dioxide, that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide: A gas produced when we burn fuel or digest food that contributes to global warming.
- Global warming: The increase in Earth’s average temperature caused by greenhouse gases.
- Electricity: Power used to run lights, computers, and appliances.
- Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
- Impact: The effect or influence something has.
- Lifestyle: The way someone lives, including habits and daily routines.
Comprehension questions
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1. What is a carbon footprint?
a) The mark your shoes make in mud
b) The impact of human activities on the environment
c) A type of dinosaur
Answer: b) The impact of human activities on the environment
2. Which of these produces greenhouse gases?
a) Walking to school
b) Using electricity
c) Playing outside
Answer: b) Using electricity
3. What does “global warming” mean?
Answer: The Earth getting warmer because of gases trapped in the atmosphere.
4. Name one everyday activity that adds to a carbon footprint.
Answer: Driving a car, using electricity, eating certain foods, etc.
5. Give one example of an action that produces a smaller carbon footprint.
Answer: Walking, cycling, turning off lights, or eating more fruits and vegetables.
6. Why is learning about carbon footprints important?
Answer: It helps children understand how people and their actions affect the planet.
Sinead is a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience. She’s a native English speaker who loves making news stories fun and easy to understand for children around the world. Her passions include travel, animals, and helping to make the world a kinder, more sustainable place.
