Carbon Counters

Incoming Editorial·Reviewed June 5, 2026

The science of carbon counting is becoming a quintessential knowledge practice that characterizes the age of the climate crisis. From the carbon footprint information on a soda can to the international treaties on carbon credits, we count carbon to design and orient our climate policies. Knowing the accurate amount of carbon emission and absorption, however, is not as easy as it might sound, since counting carbon is heavily affected by contrasting methodologies, competing economic interests, and conflicting cultural standards. The carbon numbers, like all important numbers, are scientific and political at the same time.