Bright Idea: Get to Know Your Carbon Handprint
By Caitlin Marshall
You might be familiar with your carbon footprint by now – the amount of carbon emissions created by the miles you drive or the lightbulbs you leave on. But do you know where that footprint idea came from? Turns out, the story is a bit ugly. We might all be better served by thinking about our climate handprint instead.
The Problem with Carbon Footprint Calculators
The carbon footprint calculator was invented as a marketing campaign by… British Petroleum.
In fact, as one of the largest fossil fuel extraction companies, BP was and is directly responsible for a huge proportion of the climate crisis. They’re one of just 20 companies that are responsible for a full third of global emissions. Despite this, they wanted the spotlight off their business and so devised the carbon footprint campaign to shift the focus back onto individuals.
In the ads, they urge “we all do our part” by looking at things like “mowing your lawn” and “vacuuming your home.” It’s been highly successful; even the Nature Conservancy features a carbon footprint calculator. But if we are all truly doing our part, BP (Exxon, and Chevron) have a really, really big part.
So instead, I’m trying to use a concept I learned only a few months ago, and that’s my carbon handprint.
The Carbon Handprint
The idea is to consider the ways in which humans benefit the environment. From pocket forests in Japan, to electric buses in Chile, to fossil fuel divestment here in Maine, people are actively digging, building, and writing a better, more livable future. And I can certainly use my hands to keep writing and calling out the big polluters for what they are.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the climate crisis; it’s global! But by training our attention on the examples of others, already making positive change right now, we can find hope.
What will be your climate handprint?
