The term carbon footprint has appeared in the news frequently with the explosion of information that has emerged about climate change. Carbon footprint is the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions, consisting primarily of carbon dioxide, associated with an organization, event or production. It is one of the most common measures of the effect of an individual, community, industry, or country on the environment. An increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore in carbon footprint, is the primary event associated with climate change that has led to global warming. Our increasing carbon footprint is having profound effects on the environment. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are changing the growing patterns of plants and result in indigenous vegetation moving to increasingly cooler climates. Sea levels are rising as the temperature of our planet increases--warmer water occupies more space than cooler water. Rising seas will not only erode shorelines and destroy ecosystems, coastal cities and towns could be displaced by rising seas. As vegetation shifts climates because of increasing temperatures and shifting weather patterns, wildlife that depends on it will become threatened because it is unable to keep up with the rate at which the climate is changing. For example, migratory birds arrive at their destination to find that food sources such as plants bloomed too early or not at all and melting Arctic ice destroys hunting ground for polar bears. According to the Nature Conservancy, one quarter of the Earth's species will be headed for extinction in 40 years if climate change increases at its current rate. Once people understand the affect that their carbon footprint has on the planet, they can reduce their carbon footprint. One easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is to minimize the energy you waste. Shut off lights, air conditioning, and electrical appliances when you aren't in a room and use heat and air conditioning sparingly. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs, which will not only help the planet but help your electricity bill, too. You can conserve water by taking shorter showers and keeping the water off while you brush your teeth. Conserve paper by using reusable canvas shopping bags. Buy locally grown produce or even better, start your own garden. Lastly, reconsider your transportation choices. Walking or riding a bike not only reduces your carbon footprint, it brings health benefits.