A carbon footprint is generated by our actions, both directly and indirectly. For example, a direct action could be driving a car to work, and an indirect action could be buying meat from a store. Driving a car is a direct action because cars produce emissions and the driver is the person who is responsible for those emissions. They are directly choosing to run a car that produces emissions, maybe even unknowingly. Buying meat from a store is an indirect action because the meat’s carbon footprint is composed of all of the emissions that it took to produce and transport it to the store. So, when someone buys meat, the direct actions to produce and transport it to the store become one’s indirect action, therefore becoming a part of their carbon footprint.
