When we talk about a “carbon footprint,” we’re referring to the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated by our actions. Although it’s called a carbon footprint, it actually includes various greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases—all converted into a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) for simplicity of measurement. This concept helps us understand our individual and collective impact on climate change.