#94b: Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint is “the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product” It is derived by adding together emissions from every stage of a product’s or service’s lifetime or lifecycle. Greenhouse gasses add up and trap heat in the atmosphere, which is contributing to the warming of our planet.
A typical US household has a carbon footprint of 48 tonnes of CO2 per year. I calculated mine using a few different calculators, and in my family of four, we produce about 38-47 tonnes/year. Our most significant contributor is personal travel (planes) and household energy use (pool). Global experts call for a target limit of 2 tonnes per person per year. The current global average is at 4 tonnes/person/year, and the US current average is 20 tonnes/person/year.
The major categories contributing to your family’s carbon footprint include:
Food: ~15%
Household Energy and water Use: ~30%
Personal Transportation: ~30%
Consumer products and Waste: ~25%
FOOD - Greenhouse gas is emitted from food production, transport, and waste. Food makes up between 10-30% of each household’s carbon footprint. The production of food accounts for about 70% of the emissions from food and transportation produces about 5%. Animal products use much more resources because it is an inefficient process. To grow an animal for consumption, you have to grow food to feed to the animal. This takes up more energy and resources and requires a greater total area of land. The greenhouse gasses that are derived from agriculture include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and methane. In the typical American diet, the production of meat and dairy account for 74% of the total greenhouse gases from food. Also, raising animals creates more waste from their fecal matter, which produces methane. Cows also are known to create methane naturally through their digestive processes. The production of Cow meat for consumption creates sixty times more carbon emissions than legumes, and chicken meat produces forty-two times more greenhouse gasses than potatoes. In general, animal products produce more carbon emissions than plant products. Another way that food creates greenhouse gases is through transportation. When we eat foods that are coming from far away and not in season, then it takes more fuel to get them to us. Additionally, wasting food and throwing it into the trash creates greenhouse gases. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the US.
Ways to reduce your food carbon footprint:
Eat fewer animal products, especially beef, and meats.
Eat local, and seasonally so you can get your food from nearby. Shopping at your farmer’s market, subscribing to a local CSA or produce box can accomplish this, but having your own garden is even better.
Get into the habit of meal planning so that you waste less food.
Compost instead of throwing food into the trash.
HOUSEHOLD ENERGY AND WATER USE - The typical household power is derived from coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Residential space heating and cooling account for 41% of energy use in the average American home. Refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers are also significant energy users. The treatment of drinking water also consumes energy and resources.
Ways to reduce your household energy and water carbon footprint:
Buy energy-efficient appliances.
Turn off devices when not in use.
Turn off lights when not in use.
Switch to energy-efficient lighting.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Consider drying clothes outside on the line instead of in the dyer.
Consider becoming and minimalist and get a smaller home! Smaller homes use less energy because they are more efficient.
Use a fully loaded dishwasher instead of hand-washing.
Consider investing in solar panels.
Get a programmable thermostat.
Take shorter showers, and don’t leave the tap on when you are brushing your teeth.
PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION - Cars and trucks emit about 17% of the total greenhouse gases in the US. Of the transportation greenhouse gases, though, the most significant impact is passenger cars contributing 41% to the entire transportation category. Traveling by air definitely contributes to a large carbon footprint. Commercial aircraft make up 7% of transportation greenhouse gases.
Ways to reduce your personal transportation carbon footprint:
Walk or bike to work and to do your errands instead of driving.
Carpool when you can.
Get a more energy-efficient vehicle or consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Don’t speed: fuel economy is more efficient at lower speeds.
Consider using rail or bus for long-distance travel.
Fly less or when you do fly, try to fly direct and economy class. Flying economy increases the efficiency of that mode of transportation.
Purchase carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are ways to contribute to programs that are actively reducing carbon emissions such as wind power, planting and maintaining forests, and decreasing methane from landfills. This can be helpful to offset carbon emissions in areas where you may not be able to drastically change, such as air travel.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND WASTE - The more THINGS we buy, the more we contribute to production and transportation processes that create greenhouse gasses. The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothes each year!
Ways to reduce your products and waste carbon footprint:
Consume less and waste less!
Buy fewer things
Reuse the things you have
Refuse free items
Recycle
Compost
I hope that this gives you some easy and practical ideas to reduce your personal carbon footprint. It may seem overwhelming at first, but just start one step at a time in an area that feels realistic and doable for you.
Resources:
Carbon Footprint Calculators:
https://www.conservation.org/carbon-footprint-calculator#/
https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/calculator
General Information:
https://www.who.int/globalchange/publications/factsheets/Kit2008_annex1_2.pdf?ua=1
Carbon offset programs:
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The information on this blog, website and podcast is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace careful evaluation and treatment. If you have concerns about your or your child’s eating, nutrition or growth, consult a doctor.
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