Comments on: Inside a Carbon Calculator http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/ Blogging the science and policy of global warming Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:13:20 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 By: Lisa Moore http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-1833 Lisa Moore Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:07:55 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-1833 Hi anthrobus13, Great questions! To get an idea of the sorts of data you need, take a look at <a href="http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/content.cfm?contentid=5043" rel="nofollow">what we used for our calculator</a>. For some things you will need Malaysia-specific statistics, such as emissions per kWh of electricity. Few countries have as much detailed data as the U.S., so you will probably need to make some crude assumptions for some factors. First, though, see what's out there. The <a href="http://www.iaea.org/inisnkm/nkm/aws/eedrb/data/MY-encc.html" rel="nofollow">International Atomic Energy Agency</a> is a good place to start. Good luck and have fun! Hi anthrobus13,

Great questions! To get an idea of the sorts of data you need, take a look at what we used for our calculator. For some things you will need Malaysia-specific statistics, such as emissions per kWh of electricity. Few countries have as much detailed data as the U.S., so you will probably need to make some crude assumptions for some factors. First, though, see what's out there. The International Atomic Energy Agency is a good place to start. Good luck and have fun!

]]> By: anthrobus13 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-1828 anthrobus13 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:45:08 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-1828 Hi Lisa, Im from Malaysia and have been researching on how to develop a carbon calculator for my country and I came across your post. My problem is, I dont know where to start - what kind of figures should I be looking for? How do I calculate carbon emissions? IF you can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful. Thanks! Hi Lisa,

Im from Malaysia and have been researching on how to develop a carbon calculator for my country and I came across your post. My problem is, I dont know where to start – what kind of figures should I be looking for? How do I calculate carbon emissions? IF you can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.

Thanks!

]]> By: Climate 411 » Is My Lunch Causing Global Warming? - Blogs & Podcasts - Environmental Defense Fund http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-1254 Climate 411 » Is My Lunch Causing Global Warming? - Blogs & Podcasts - Environmental Defense Fund Mon, 05 May 2008 18:35:04 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-1254 [...] to know how your lifestyle impacts the environment? Yahoo Green’s Lifestyle Calculator (data provided by EDF) estimates your carbon footprint based on factors like the size of your home, and how much you [...] [...] to know how your lifestyle impacts the environment? Yahoo Green's Lifestyle Calculator (data provided by EDF) estimates your carbon footprint based on factors like the size of your home, and how much you [...]

]]> By: Climate 411 » How Much Water Do You Use? - Blogs & Podcasts - Environmental Defense http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-702 Climate 411 » How Much Water Do You Use? - Blogs & Podcasts - Environmental Defense Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:42:12 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-702 [...] you save water, you save energy - and vice versa. Carbon calculators can give you some idea of your carbon footprint, but most don’t take into account your water [...] [...] you save water, you save energy – and vice versa. Carbon calculators can give you some idea of your carbon footprint, but most don't take into account your water [...]

]]> By: Lisa Moore http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-216 Lisa Moore Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:56:54 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-216 Hi again farmerchuck, Bill asked me to post this on his behalf: "Be careful he doesn't double count his carbon sequestration efforts. In a low-C market, land management practices that increase C in soils and vegetation can be sold in the market place as C offsets. (There is a voluntary market for these offsets today.) If he does that he can't also take credit for these practices for his personal C footprint." Sounds to me like a win-win, really. Either you're accidentally double-counting while helping climate, or helping climate and soon to be profiting from the carbon market. Hi again farmerchuck,

Bill asked me to post this on his behalf:

"Be careful he doesn't double count his carbon sequestration efforts. In a low-C market, land management practices that increase C in soils and vegetation can be sold in the market place as C offsets. (There is a voluntary market for these offsets today.) If he does that he can't also take credit for these practices for his personal C footprint."

Sounds to me like a win-win, really. Either you're accidentally double-counting while helping climate, or helping climate and soon to be profiting from the carbon market.

]]> By: Lisa Moore http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Lisa Moore Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:29:24 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-215 Hi farmerchuck! Thanks for moseying over from DKos. You're right, the calculator does not have everything. I'm glad that in your case those missing items mean you're "under average". How much of that is land management? PS - you might be interested in checking out Environmental Defense's other blog, <a href="http://blogs.edf.org/healthyfarms/" rel="nofollow">The Ruminant</a>. Scott's posts are enlightening and funny. Hi farmerchuck! Thanks for moseying over from DKos.

You're right, the calculator does not have everything. I'm glad that in your case those missing items mean you're "under average". How much of that is land management?

PS – you might be interested in checking out Environmental Defense's other blog, The Ruminant. Scott's posts are enlightening and funny.

]]> By: farmerchuck http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-214 farmerchuck Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:34:13 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-214 according to the yahoo carbon calculator, I have an above average carbon footprint, as the calculator doesn't take into account measures that we have already taken...factor those in, and we have a negative footprint... according to the yahoo carbon calculator, I have an above average carbon footprint, as the calculator doesn't take into account measures that we have already taken…factor those in, and we have a negative footprint…

]]> By: Lisa Moore http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Lisa Moore Tue, 22 May 2007 17:54:41 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-213 Hi Enrique, I’m glad you liked the calculator! You’re absolutely right that it would be great to have an all-in-one comparison of these sorts of products. There isn’t one that I’m aware of, but for now here are some resources: The <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product." rel="nofollow">Energy Star site</a> has <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cfls.display_products_html" rel="nofollow">a chart</a> listing a huge number of compact fluorescent bulbs. The chart does not include mercury content but does show energy efficiency and lifetime. We have <a href="”http://www.environmentaldefense.org/go/CFLguide" rel="nofollow">a guide to CFLs</a> that has <a href="”http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=633&fixture=0&shape=0&brightness=0&color=0&matchingBulbCount=37”" rel="nofollow">user reviews</a> for some of these bulbs. We try to add to the guide whenever we can, so <a href="”http://www.environmentaldefense.org/email.cfm?contentID=5556&campaign=480”" rel="nofollow">send in your reviews</a>! Finally, many home appliances come with an <a href="”http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/energyguide.html”" rel="nofollow">EnergyGuide label</a> that can help you compare energy efficiency of different makes and models. Cheers, Lisa Hi Enrique,

I’m glad you liked the calculator!

You’re absolutely right that it would be great to have an all-in-one comparison of these sorts of products. There isn’t one that I’m aware of, but for now here are some resources:

The Energy Star site has a chart listing a huge number of compact fluorescent bulbs. The chart does not include mercury content but does show energy efficiency and lifetime. We have a guide to CFLs that has user reviews for some of these bulbs. We try to add to the guide whenever we can, so send in your reviews!

Finally, many home appliances come with an EnergyGuide label that can help you compare energy efficiency of different makes and models.

Cheers,
Lisa

]]> By: Lisa Moore http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Lisa Moore Mon, 21 May 2007 22:13:43 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-212 Hi Energy Guy, We've sent your feedback to Yahoo!, and their design team is considering your suggestions. Thanks again for your interest and careful reading! Lisa Hi Energy Guy,

We've sent your feedback to Yahoo!, and their design team is considering your suggestions. Thanks again for your interest and careful reading!

Lisa

]]> By: Energy Guy http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Energy Guy Fri, 18 May 2007 16:12:08 +0000 http://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/15/yahoo_calculator/#comment-211 I agree that it does a pretty good job, but still think that it needs some fixes along the lines of what I listed. The worst item is lumping in hybrids with a 10% mpg boost - you should either remove hybrid from the description or give it a separate line. Also, you should remove any item that gives no benefit or a negative benefit because it gives incorrect feedback to people thinking of doing that item if it really does save. I also think that it doesn't help someone prioritize very well because of the averaging -- insulating empty walls is often the biggest savings you can get, but it is watered down in the calculator. I do energy program evaluation and research on retrofit savings for a living (for the past 20+ years) but don't have the time right now to produce a detailed bibliography for you. You could start with the AGA report I mentioned which has average gas usage of furnaces (Residential Natural Gas Market Survey December 2006) that would change many of your savings estimates. Also, the showerhead error should be easy for you to find a better estimate -- there have been a few measured results from studies in the Northwest and California that have all found much lower gpm. I agree that it does a pretty good job, but still think that it needs some fixes along the lines of what I listed. The worst item is lumping in hybrids with a 10% mpg boost – you should either remove hybrid from the description or give it a separate line. Also, you should remove any item that gives no benefit or a negative benefit because it gives incorrect feedback to people thinking of doing that item if it really does save. I also think that it doesn't help someone prioritize very well because of the averaging — insulating empty walls is often the biggest savings you can get, but it is watered down in the calculator.

I do energy program evaluation and research on retrofit savings for a living (for the past 20+ years) but don't have the time right now to produce a detailed bibliography for you. You could start with the AGA report I mentioned which has average gas usage of furnaces (Residential Natural Gas Market Survey December 2006) that would change many of your savings estimates.

Also, the showerhead error should be easy for you to find a better estimate — there have been a few measured results from studies in the Northwest and California that have all found much lower gpm.

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