Resources
Explore educational resources, calculate your nitrogen footprint, and discover research from members of the University of Virginia Nitrogen Working Group.
Calculate Your Nitrogen Footprint
Your nitrogen footprint represents the amount of reactive nitrogen released to the environment through your lifestyle, including food choices, transportation, energy use, and consumption habits.
After calculating your footprint, visit our FAQ page to learn practical ways to reduce it.
New to Nitrogen?
Learn what reactive nitrogen is, why it matters, and how the University of Virginia is working to reduce nitrogen losses.
Research from the Nitrogen Working Group
Explore publications authored or co-authored by members of the Nitrogen Working Group that have helped shape nitrogen footprint research and sustainability initiatives globally.
Institutional Phosphorus Damage Costs
Coffey et al. (2024)
Demonstrates a framework for estimating the environmental damage costs associated with institutional phosphorus footprints using the University of Virginia as a case study.
Footprints in Action
Dukes et al. (2023)
Highlights how the University of Virginia developed one of the world's first university Nitrogen Action Plans.
Community Nitrogen Footprints
Dukes et al. (2020)
Examines nitrogen emissions across Baltimore and identifies opportunities to reduce community-scale impacts.
Promoting Sustainable Food Choices
Piester et al. (2020)
Investigates how sustainability messaging can encourage people to choose more environmentally friendly meals.
Institutional Nitrogen Footprints
Leach et al. (2013)
Introduces a framework for measuring and reducing nitrogen emissions across university campuses.
Consumer Nitrogen Footprints
Leach et al. (2012)
Explains how everyday food and lifestyle choices contribute to individual nitrogen footprints.
The Nitrogen Cascade
Jim Galloway et al. (2003)
Introduces the concept of the nitrogen cascade and explains how reactive nitrogen affects air, water, ecosystems, climate, and human health.
Additional Resources
Explore additional educational resources about reactive nitrogen and nitrogen footprints from universities and international organizations.
UNC Sustainability
An introduction to nitrogen footprints and how individual choices affect the environment.
Colorado State University
Learn why nitrogen footprints matter and how they connect to sustainability.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Explore global impacts of reactive nitrogen and international efforts to reduce pollution.