The average American is responsible for about 20 tons of carbon
dioxide emissions every year. To fully wrap your head around that amount, just
think about the emissions created when driving a gasoline-powered card nonstop
for 40,000 miles - they're the same. A thousand actions could be taken to
reduce your carbon footprint, but there are five major factors should be
considered first.
The place you choose to call home can have a huge impact on
the amount of emissions you put into the atmosphere. Although the US is not an
ideal location to minimize your carbon footprint, some places are more
climate-friendly than others.
Cities, which are responsible for 75 percent of the world’s
carbon dioxide emissions, cover the US however, densely populated cities tend to have
smaller carbon footprints than the outlying suburbs. Location is not the only
thing to keep in mind when looking for a home, the kind of apartment or house you live in matters too;
making sure the home has good insulation can reduce heat loss and cut down
energy use significantly.
The second major factor is your diet. American’s are
responsible for almost nine tons of carbon emissions yearly. The consumption of
red meat has a carbon footprint eleven times the size of grains and vegetables.
The reduction of beef consumption could actually be more effective than driving
less often. Giving up beef completely is not a requirement; simply making small
changes can have a huge effect.
How you commute, especially to and from work, can add pounds
of carbon to your output. If you plan on using a car, try to get something
fuel-efficient. However, public transportation is more efficient and can save
each passenger about ten pounds of carbon emissions on an average ride.
The location of your investments is another major factor
effecting your carbon footprint. Where your money goes can determine which
industries grow and which do not. Activists and nonprofit organizations are
encouraging investors to divert money away from the fossil fuel industry. The
amount, whether big or small, will make a difference.
The fifth major factor is ultimately who you vote for. Government
policies can do more to limit global carbon emissions in the long run than
changing your consumer habits. “Climate change is the most systemic challenge
and largest scale challenge we’ve ever faced as humanity,” he said. “Given that,
it requires action on all fronts, and we need a combination of things coming
from everywhere in society."
