Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by EPA
What it is
- Using this calculator, students can enter emissions data or energy used or saved to see a variety of equivalent values and climate actions.
- Students can convert gallons of gas, gasoline-powered vehicles, kilowatt hours, MCF of natural gas, therms of natural gas, or emissions data for any greenhouse gas to see equivalent greenhouse gas emissions, and CO2 emissions, and how they compare to mitigation and sequestration efforts.
- The emissions data allow for the entry of various greenhouse gas quantities, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The calculator is easy to use for entering energy data and can easily be made more complex by choosing to enter emissions data.
- By providing a variety of emissions equivalents, students can easily find something to relate to that helps paint a picture of emissions and energy use.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the greenhouse effect.
- Teachers may need to define the terms kilowatt hour, sequester, therms, MCF, and others before students use the calculator.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students can measure the gallons of gas they or their families use in a week and then enter the data.
- Using the information, students can create infographics to inform others about the impact of their choices.
- Students can enter the emissions data for their country and others to see the comparison in a different way.
From the scientist review
This resource from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides teachers with a useful calculator to find CO2 equivalent emissions. The website includes additional links that include information for teachers. The references and sourced material utilized for this lesson plan are from credible institutions and present up-to-date information. This site is a valuable resource for educators seeking to enhance climate-related learning experiences in the classroom.
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Hosted on epa.gov
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