Environment: treading lightly on the Earth focuses on the problem of greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. This free course will give you an understanding of the nature and importance of carbon footprints of individuals and households. It will enable you to measure your own carbon footprint and explore what you could do to reduce that footprint and so ‘tread more lightly on the Earth’.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• explain the nature and extent of the carbon footprints of individuals and households within the national and global economy
• assess individual carbon footprints using a carbon calculator
• understand the main components of the carbon footprint of individuals and households, and the most effective actions for reducing the footprint
• explore options for reducing the carbon footprint.