About the Carbon Tracker App

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Welcome to a test version of the Carbon Tracker App.  Our carbon emissions can significantly and quickly be reduced by your thoughtful personal choices.  By using this app, you will find ways to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your health and save money.

The app fulfills the following purposes:

• Provides a framework to measure carbon footprint and track improvements over time.
• Provides more detail than other tools to help users sharpen their focus. 
• Dispels myths about the carbon savings of various measures; allows us to focus on our own personal biggest hitters.
• Plants seeds in our minds for the time when big purchasing decisions present themselves (e.g., furnace replacement or car replacement).
• Allows us to track the overall progress of Yorktown towards the goal of 5% reduction of emissions per year.
• Gives us a scalable and replicable platform to track emissions reductions in any zip code in the United States.

Before launching the app, please collect the following information:

• Google credentials (e.g., gmail account login) or you may create a Login ID using a non-Google email address by following these instructions.
• Make, model and annual miles driven for each vehicle in the household.
• Number of kWhrs or units of electricity consumed annually.  You can get this from your online Con Edison OR NYSEG account or any single hardcopy utility bill.
• Amount of oil, gas or propane consumed annually for heating, hot water and cooking.

Brew yourself a cup of tea or coffee, settle down for about 30-45 minutes, and launch the app!

• We thank the Croton100 team to provide  licenses to Yorktown100 to use the app for use by its residents.
• Any information you provide is secure with Croton100.
• Understanding carbon impact is a personal matter, like stepping on a weighing scale.  The goal is not to be judgmental, but rather to increase awareness.
• The app will make you aware of options, recommendations and rebates.
•  As we improve the app through the spring of 2020, we will release new versions that enhance navigation, improve intuitiveness and introduce new features.

• You can use the app any time 24x7.  When you enter the app, your previous answers will be saved, and you can edit your previous responses at any time.
• You can use the app for "What if" analysis.  E.g., "what if I purchased solar panels" or "what if I switched my car" or "what if I changed my diet."  You can measure the carbon impact of such changes, and either save the new values (meaning that you have implemented the changes) or discard them by clicking a "Cancel" button.
• In the future, we will provide a graph that shows you the history of your carbon impact towards the goal of 5% reduction per year for 20 years.
• Currently, the app works best on a laptop in a Chrome browser. Very soon, the app will work with any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Bing) and any platform (laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone).
• If you get stuck or are unsure how to answer a question, e-mail us at yorktowncarbonzero@gmail.com.  We are committed to making the app more user-friendly to enable self-administration.
• The app comprises the following themes: Transportation/Vehicles, Transportation/Flights and Trains, Heating, Electricity, Food, Waste, Goods and Services, and Zip Code Overhead.  In each theme, you will be asked some questions.  When you submit your answers, you can see the carbon results for that theme by clicking on "Results."  A bar graph shows an updated summary of your carbon impact.

Q: Is my information secure?

A: Yes, your information is secure with Croton100.  See our privacy policy.

Q: How does the carbon tracker work?

A: The carbon tracker relies on a number of different studies by reputed organizations like the EPA.  Activities like heating or transportation are converted into tons of equivalent CO2 emissions and presented in the app.  The quantified framework is invaluable in increasing awareness and suggesting next steps.

Q: How accurate is the carbon tracker?

A: While we have taken all reasonable steps to be pretty accurate, the intention is not to track every molecule of CO2, but to provide big-picture directionally correct estimates that can guide our behaviors.

Q: Is the carbon tracker only for Yorktown?

A: The app was originally designed by Croton100 for residents of zip code 10520 but the app will perform carbon calculations for any zip code. It uses the zip code from your profile (which you need to create before using the app) to personalize the analysis for your town. The app (including source code) can be licensed for free to any not-for-profit, and can be customized to any zip code in the United States.  Contact Croton100 at admin@croton100.org if you are interested.

Q: I just finished using the app.  What should I do next?

A: Stare at your bar graph summary and ask yourself, "How do I cut my carbon emissions in half by 2030?" and create a long-term action plan for yourself. Consider getting together with friends and neighbors and discussing. Use the opportunity to share and learn. Chat with students and get involved with your community and schools. Use our “resources” page to learn about your areas of focus, such as home heating. 

Q: I found a bug in the app.  I also have suggestions for improvement.  Can I get in touch with the developers?

A: Yes, we welcome your feedback.  Please contact Croton100 at admin@croton100.org.