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footprint

footprint

37 3.8
The amount of greenhouse gases a person, group, or product produces
  • noun
  • /ˈfʊtˌprɪnt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : huella
  • So you're saving your carbon footprint and it's amazing.
  • carbon footprint
  • ecological footprint
  • reduce the footprint

So you're saving your carbon footprint and it's amazing.

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Examples

  • As of right now I'm reducing my carbon footprint.

  • Experimental initiatives to measure individuals' carbon footprints and energy use have been shown to change people's behavior in some settings.

    Academic text (2009)
  • We show this the building's carbon footprint, right?

  • Think about our carbon footprint, hmm?

  • Technology to reduce the environmental footprint of motor vehicles will be even more vital in the future.

    Academic text (2003)
  • It's now the state with the highest Bitcoin carbon footprint in the US.

  • We're very proud that we are dramatically reducing the carbon dioxide footprint of our own company.

    Academic text (2009)
  • We continue to reduce our carbon footprint and to recycle evermore waste.

  • Solar panels, filtered rain water, even recycled waste water can greatly reduce your footprint.

  • Many companies are being urged to improve their carbon footprint to combat climate change.

Synonyms

environmental impact
vsfootprint
  • Specialized
23 3.7

The effect an activity has on nature and living things

focuses specifically on greenhouse gas emissions rather than all environmental effects
carbon footprint
vsfootprint
20 3.8

The amount of greenhouse gases a person, company, or product produces

has the same meaning and is the common alternative label

Compounds

The amount of greenhouse gases a person, company, or product produces

footprint evidence
  • Specialized
5.4

Marks left by feet that show someone was at a place

A mark in the ground that shows someone was there

Surface Forms

footprint singular
footprints plural

Morphology

footprint = foot + print (semi-transparent) = foot + print

The environmental sense 'greenhouse-gas emissions' is a metaphorical extension from 'mark' to 'impact', which learners may infer with cultural knowledge but not by literal composition alone.

Etymology

The phrase carbon footprint uses footprint as a picture of the 'mark' we leave on the planet, so it means the total carbon or greenhouse gases a person, product, or company causes.