What is the purpose of the greenhouse calculator?

Question

What is the purpose of the greenhouse calculator?

Answer 1

The purpose of a greenhouse calculator is to make people feel guilty about living a reasonably conservative lifestyle.

Answer 2

Greenhouse gas calculators are used to help people understand their individual environmental impacts.  Our decisions and lifestyles greatly affect the environment and we could all reduce GHG emissions with a few simple adjustments.  For example I use 100% recycled paper towels and CFL bulbs.  Nothing drastic, but if everyone did that it would make a big difference in the world.  I could sell my SUV and get a hybrid and maybe reduce my GHG emissions by 20-30%, but I don't have $20k to get a new car so I work on the small things.  Those calculators are useful for making decisions to help the environment.