The Hidden Origin of 'Carbon Footprint'
My name’s Eli. I’m an editor here at Localyst and I’m also a dad. Our readers want to know what they can do about the pollution that’s overheating our planet and threatening our way of life. Like me, they want to make sure their kids are able to enjoy the same things they loved growing up. Like camping. One of our readers asked how she can reduce her “carbon footprint.” It’s so well-intentioned and important– but there’s a problem: guess where the term “carbon footprint” comes from? I’ll give you a hint: IT’S DEVIOUS.
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The term “carbon footprint” was popularized by the fossil fuel industry. One fossil fuel exec even said, “It’s time to go on a low-carbon diet” back in 2006, almost making himself sound noble, while shifting the blame from big oil giants to the individual consumers who happen to use their products. Why would they do that? Well...
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Those executives have some profits to lose, just like those tobacco executives who got rich while lying about whether or not their products cause cancer. But people are starting to get wise. Our readers are starting to get wise.There’s something you can do about it, and you don’t have to stop eating meat or driving your car, it doesn’t cost anything, and it’ll only take you 5 seconds. Ready to help? Not enough people know how much fossil fuel executives are putting their profits over the interests of our kids. Please help us protect our way of life by spreading the truth about where the term carbon footprint actually comes from– please share this story with 5 of your friends.
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