Pollution Check: These Apps Will Help You Keep It Green

Global warming has resulted in a sudden rise in the earth's temperature. This life-threatening phenomenon is caused by Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) , which make the glaciers melt and sea water rise, in which carbon dioxide emission is the most significant contributor. For our survival, we humans are highly dependent on these GHG-concentrated fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas) . 

Recently, Delhi was declared the most-polluted city in the world by the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. The World Bank data puts the per capita CO2 emission recorded in India during 2011-2015 at 1.7 metric tonnes. Admitting that this number is alarming, India has pledged to cut off its carbon emissions by 30-35 per cent (2005 level) by 2030. Some steps taken by government as well as NGOs to deal with the menace include the car free day, car pool day, Raahgiri, and now even-odd formula.

Moreover, to make this achievable we all can contribute in curtailing the emission from our house as well. To ensure you are doing it right, there are certain mobile applications and websites that help you understand ways to cut emissions and also calculate them.

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Carbon Footprint Ltd has launched an online application that lets you calculate your carbon emissions based on your inputs on usage or consumption of electricity, natural gas, wood, coal, heating oil, LPG, etc. Your nationality counts when calculating as it compares your carbon footprint with that of an average person in your country. Also, for certain countries the application has precise costing information for electricity generation emissions, gas and electricity. Along with calculation, it also suggests offsets that can help bring down carbon emissions.

(Carbon Footprint Ltd)

Tata Power has an online application for households that lets you calculate your monthly carbon footprint. You can understand your total emissions per month and average annual carbon footprint based on months' input.

(Tata Power)

ICICI Bank has a similar application that estimates your carbon emission based on your region. It also considers carbon emission from Piped Natural Gas (PNG) .

(ICICI Bank)

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Environment Improvement Society (MMR-EIS) , for the residents of Mumbai, has a Personal Carbon Footprint Calculator. This calculator can estimate your carbon footprint on the basis of 10 general inputs about your lifestyle. MMR has also launched a separate Carbon Calculator for children. It observes their carbon grade and carbon performance on the basis of children's answers to simple questions related to their every day activities, habits, choices and knowledge.

(MMR - EIS)

Download these

MyUsage Mobile helps you keep a track of your energy consumption and also how much it is costing you. It is a smart meter that enables you measure electricity, gas and water consumption of the household or any business set-up. It also helps in making decisions for a smart energy usage. Download it here: Play Store; iTunes

 

(Google Play Store)

Lotus Green's Carbon Footprint Calculator was launched to make families identify their contribution towards global warming. It also helps them with tips on how to minimise it. Download it here: Play Store

 

(Google Play Store)

My CO2 Calculator, apart from measuring your carbon footprint, also suggests helpful tips and hints to curb your carbon emissions. It also helps set monthly targets to reduce your carbon emissions. Download it here: Play Store

(Google Play Store)

Carbon Emissions Calculator launched by The International Civil Aviation Organization allows the passenger to estimate their air travel emissions. Fill in the details about origin and destination airports, class of travel and number of passengers. This application can be downloaded from Google Store for free of cost. Download here: Play Store; iTunes

EcoDrive Speedometer is a Global Positioning System (GPS) speedometer that helps you save your time, suggests safety measures, and helps you avoid penalties apart from helping you save your fuel. Its motion efficiency indicator helps you correct your driving style and reduce fuel consumption in real time. Its personalised audio warnings help you maintain your speed limit. This app is supported for all types of transport and is useful for sports where speed, distance, time and acceleration are important. Moreover, you can also check your altitude, and how long your workout session lasted. This application comes with a seven-day free trial and can later be upgraded (paid version) as per your requirements. Download here: Play Store

(Google Play Store)

How are CO2 emissions calculated? Most of the applications and websites calculating CO2 emissions are based on the household's consumption of electricity, petrol, diesel and LPG. Step 1: Data Collection: Collect data of your electricity, petrol, diesel and LPG usage. Electricity: Find the number of power units consumed monthly and then multiply them by 12.1 unit = 1KWH of electricity. Now what you have is your annual power units consumed. Petrol/Diesel: Calculate the litres of petrol/diesel you use in your car annually. If you use both, calculate them separately. LPG: Calculate the number of LPG cylinders you use in a year by multiplying them with 14 (a gas cylinder has nearly 14.2 kg of liquefied petroleum gas) .   Note: All the calculations should be estimated on yearly basis. Step 2: Calculation Methodology Multiply the outcome with their Emission Factors. Emission Factor of electricity is 0.85, petrol is 2.296, diesel is 2.653 and LPG is 2.983. Now, add all the outcomes and then divide by 1,000. The result is your household's final carbon footprint in tonnes of CO2 (tCO2) .