This chart reveals the real environmental impact of an average American shower that is powered by electricity. It shows that a shower uses 230 grams of coal which is about the volume of a cup of coffee. When burned this coal releases 130,000 cubic centimeters of carbon dioxide which has the volume of 42 basketballs. Considering that the US electricity grid is powered by 45% coal, these quantities may be more for other countries, such as Australia, who's grid is powered by over 80 percent coal. The chart is part of series I am working on that links individual habits and purchases to environmental impacts and power structures as part of my soon to be launched presentation titled 'The Counter Economy'. The message of this chart is, every time you take a shower that is not solar powered, think of the cup of coal you are showering in!