The Human Footprint

Did you know that an American at age one has a bigger carbon footprint than a Tanzanian will have in a lifetime? Here are some staggering numbers (from the National Geographic Channel): Americans generated 251 million tons of trash in 2006, the most recent year for which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has data. Our per capita trash disposal rate was 4.6 pounds per person, per day. Sixty-five percent came from residences, while 35 percent came from schools and commercial locations such as hospitals and businesses. Where does it all go? Check out "Human Footprint," premiering on the National Geographic Channel tonight (April 13). An ABC News report on the program can be found at http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4637824&affil=wabc