Now that we see what our collective and personal impact is on the planet, let's think big!
What big and bold ideas do you have for reducing personal, community, country and even global carbon footprints?
Use this space to develop and discuss your big ideas! Who knows- maybe one of these ideas can be the next key solution to the global climate challenge!
Think Big
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My big idea is to turn school hallways and cafeteria walls into vertical farms. Most of the food we eat in the cafeteria is trucked in from hundreds of miles away, which creates a massive carbon footprint just for one lunch.
If we grew our own vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs right on the school walls, the "food miles" would basically be zero. These gardens use 95% less water than regular farming and don't need pesticides. Plus, having thousands of plants inside the building would act like a massive "carbon sponge," cleaning the air we breathe while we’re in class. It’s a way to make the school self-sufficient and cut down on waste at the same time.
We need to implement Solar wrap technology—ultra-thin, flexible solar film that can be wrapped around skyscrapers, paved into sidewalks, and even built into the windows of our school. This would turn every city into a self-sustaining battery. Imagine if your school building produced enough energy not just for its own lights, but to power the neighborhood around it. We wouldn’t need massive, polluting power plants miles away.
At my school especially, I have noticed there has been a mass overconsumption of paper, and that the paper has not even been fully used. This causes unnecessary de-forestation of tress and more garbage (if not recycled) pollution, which leads to more co2 emmision. A step we can take to fix this would be to collect all paper at school every so often and do recyling paper projects, especially in art classes. In the class students would 1) break down the paper to pulp using and reusing water, 2) make a flat or whatever shape intended paper 3) let it dry, for schools to make their own recycled paper, reducing co2 emission and ensuring a full recycling process, rather than "accidental" littering.
Deforestation leads to the loss of biodiversity and contributes to climate change. Many plants and animals will lose their natural habitat. Trees stabilizes soil and regulating water cycles. Removing it raises the risk of flooding. Deforestation is caused by agricultural expansion, urban expansion and infrastructure development. To prevent this from happening the government can create strict laws to protect forests.
Sources:https://forestry.com/environmental-impact/climate-change/devastating-effects-of-deforestation-on-our-environment/
I completely agree, the government needs to act now if we want to prevent the environmental crisis from getting any worse. Governments around the world could implement laws in order to protect the forests. These could include: Making all parks open to the public and unavailable for big corporations to purchase. Banning all open fires during the dry season and not allowing anything that could combust in the area. And putting regulations on how much land each company can own.
Solar panels are good for the environment because they produce energy with no air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, and they reduce the need for fossil fuels. This helps not contribute to climate change, improves air quality, saves water, and reduces the environmental impact associated with extracting and burning fossil fuels.
Solar panels should be the primary source of energy. I remember in 8th grade we watched a documentary about sources of energy and there was one part in particular that I found shocking. If we covered around a fifth of Nevada in just solar panels we could power the whole country with just the sun. I know that there are pros and cons to this, like money, or resources, but in the long run solar panels will be better for the environment. I also know that we can just build so many solar panels in Nevada, but my point is,America is much larger than Nevada which means there is a lot more empty space than just there,spreading out the solar panels would be beneficial for multiple reasons, people might think placing a bunch of solar panels in Nevada would be bad because they want to keep the land free of technology and keep that area a technology free zone and just nature so spreading them out can preserve some of the lands natural beauty, and if you spread the panels out you have a bigger chance of sunlight. Having all the solar panels in one place would be a stupid move,spreading them out gives you a bigger chance of the suns light.
According to the World Nuclear Association, over 40% of CO2 emissions are caused by the burning of fossil fuels for electricity. The effect of electricity on carbon footprinting is immense. Small actions such as forgetting to turn off the lights, resulting in it being left on for hours at a time can devastate energy resources. DarkSky International states that nearly 30% of lighting outside in the US goes to waste partially due to the lack of shielding. To avoid these problems, LED lights should be used because they save energy, especially in cases where light needs to be left on for prolonged periods of time. On top of this, the use of sensors should become more common because sensors have the ability to detect the presence of someone. It will detect movement and turn on, and will go off when there can't sense any movement in the room.
I completely agree with you! The use of LEDs would be a great way to save energy, considering their long life spans and energy efficiency. On top of that containing the excess light would also help the world with it’s light pollution crisis (which is why we can’t see stars that often anymore). The use of sensors is a great idea to save energy, and has been implemented in many locations globally, we could use the same technology to save energy on long roads, and freeways at night with long distance sensors.
A huge chunk of our items be it clothing, sofas, etc. are made of leather. According to Carbonfact and ACS Publications, the process holds multiple chemical and mechanical processes to make them fancy. From tanning methods, to waste management. This can be reduced by starting to make our own leather clothing, by possibly salvaging some from roadkill, like the millions of deer that die.
visualizing a future without constraints, and understanding that your attitude and belief are more impactful than your current circumstances or intelligence.
I forgot to put my sources:
I believe that the majority of a person's carbon footprint comes from the usage of gas powered vehicles such as road vehicles (passenger cars and light-duty trucks) and airplanes. It is generally one of the several primary sources, alongside household energy consumption, food/dietary choices, and the consumption of goods and services. Switching to electric Transportation significantly reduces carbon footprint and is crucial for combating climate change as a community. Tailpipe emissions (released from exhaust pipe when fuel is burned) aren't produced when electric vehicles are being operated. Beyond climate benefits, eliminating these tailpipe emissions improves local air quality, leading to overall better health outcomes and less respiratory and cardiovascular problems in the community. Adopting electric modes of transportation (Tesla, Chevrolet Bolt, etc) is a necessary step towards achieving net-zero emissions and preventing the worst impacts of climate change.
The balance between the human race and the well-being of our planet is quite difficult to balance. People need more and more things that are not exactly friendly to the environment and the planet. what can we do to balance the balance? I think we should reduce as much as possible the objects that we don't really need or replace them with others that are better for the environment. I admit that I also buy some things (clothes for example) that are not really useful to me, taking into account that I have so many good things that I could continue to wear. therefore, I will try as much as possible not to spend so much money on things I don't need, but to invest them in things that will also help the planet.
To add on to you’re point I think people should use more recyclable materials that are biodegradable, as well as organize more events for recycling, cleaning and informational ones too because it is very important to learn about how much one piece of plastic can damage the environment, and the ways that our pollution can affect animals and plants. We need to be aware that we are the cause of pollution and that only we can fix pollution and save our planet.
I completely agree! I often buy new items without considering what I already have and how my purchases will affect the planet. I feel it is important to pay attention to the packaging of items and minimize our purchases of plastic or other packaging materials that are harmful to our planet. It would also be great for communities to continue to transition from plastic products to more paper products. In addition, it is essential to enforce recycling and composting policies to limit the amount of waste dumped on land, making its way to our ocean, polluting the water, and hurting marine animals. We definitely need to be more conscious of our daily actions and their effects. Has your community taken any effective steps to further protect and heal our planet? Do you have any other ideas on how to do so?
I also agree very strongly marlow. It is important to recycle as much as possible.My community hasn't done this but i have researched a lot on cleaning plastics.One project I found interesting was an organization called The Ocean cleanup, It took a net attached to two tug boats that collect plastics in ocean hotspots . Although this form of cleaning is effective i feel it is not as sustainable as other projects due to a boat being driven around the ocean a lot which could effect the marine ecosystems as well as effect the carbon footprint.A great way to clean up in your community without needing many tools is to organize ocean and river clean ups, river clean ups are very important because our world only uses 1% of the 71% of water on earth and it is getting limited everyday due to waste in our fresh water.
As demand for new products such as clothing and technology increase, carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emission follows, and even through beach cleanups and ocean cleanups and efforts to recycle plastics, metals, and rare earth minerals, our efforts to combat climate change do little to reduce climate change itself. While investing in the planting of new trees and ecosystems is an effective way to combat climate change and absorb some of the greenhouse gas emissions from the Earth's atmosphere, companies and government entities can do more to invest in ways to absorb CO2 through new technologies and developments. Much like how new inventions grant are given through the NIH (U.S. National Institute of Health) and government organizations, the UN and other national entities could use some of its own funding to develop a CO2 and greenhouse gas emission invention team composed of internationally-recognized and accomplished resources to develop new materials and processes that could help to temporarily or permanently absorb greenhouse gas emissions. One example of developments of inventions to combat the production of carbon-dioxide is Stanford University's creation of a new carbon-dioxide trapping material in their laboratory. In late February of this year, Stanford chemists were able to revolutionize a new process to permanently sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide using common minerals and materials. With the creation of new dedicated carbon-dioxide fighting invention teams, will the United States and other countries around the world be able to reach its goal of net-zero and 2 degrees Celsius over the next 100 years?
You make a great point about how our habits affect the planet. Reducing unnecessary purchases and choosing eco friendly alternatives is a strong step toward restoring balance between human needs and environmental health. By being mindful of what we buy and supporting sustainable products, we can all play a part in protecting the Earth’s resources for future generations.
I think you make a good point. What a lot of people forget when they buy clothes is that the materials in clothes require energy to grow, process and assemble into our items. The problem is that in countries in the modern world, people find clothes for not so expensive, making them more likely to spend on a whim rather than necessity. An example of this is that you don’t really need more than 2 pairs of shoes, just one for regular wear and one for formal occasions.
I agree with your statement. That us humans needs to be aware of the environment around us and how we are affecting it in today's society. What you said is good to spend less on extra clothing you don't need and things that you don't really use a lot and spend it on more eco- friendly causes. Even if its smaller actions like recycling and choosing sustainable products this can have an impact on this planet.
I agree with your statement I also think you make a good point when you said " I think we should reduce as much as possible the objects that we don't really need or replace them with others that are better for the environment." but I have one question? What can we change to make cloths and other things more safe for the planet and more affordably for the community.
Individually, we can drive less, switch to renewable energy, reduce meat consumption, conserve energy, and minimize waste. Communities can promote local food, organize clean-up events, advocate for public transport, plant trees, and educate others. Nationally, governments should invest in renewable energy, enhance public transport, and enforce stricter environmental regulations. Globally, international cooperation, developing technology, and assistance for climate adaptation is crucial for widespread emissions reductions and reducing climate impacts.
I totally agree with you, Aarush- especially on the topic of educating others about how they can reduce their carbon footprint. Many people do not know what their carbon footprint is, let what the phrase "carbon footprint" means.
no
One the main causes of water scarcity is climate change and pollution. As the population increases, the demand for water rises. Most the water is used for irrigation and drinking. Pollution caused by factories creates unsafe drinking water. Contaminants such as heavy metals pose severe risks to biodiversity and human health. Irrigation relies on water to support crop production. Challenges in irrigating crops, can lead to food shortages and increased food prices. Agriculture use approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.
Sources: https://www.worldwaterweek.org/news/und … -solutions
Due to the world developing and technology rapidly expanding we have technologies that help us make our cars electric or if you don’t want an electric car you could buy a hybrid car that is safe for the environment and releases less carbon than normal cars while saving gas and not having to recharge it.
I completely agree with you that hybrids and electric cars are better than traditional gasoline cars because they offer improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced operating costs. Hybrids achieve this by combining a gas engine with an electric motor, while EVs rely on electricity, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
As humans become more and more numerous, requiring more and more technology to survive via farming machines, factories, and electronic devices, it brings more and more pollution to our biosphere. One thing is starting to become clear, every human that is born means more carbon to deal with. The implications are disturbing; that reaching a net-0 carbon goal might just mean getting rid of humans, after all, 2000 years ago when we had less tech and less population the climate wasn’t much of concern. My question is simple, shall we or our planet die?
I think that as time goes on, we will find a way in order to avoid us dying and the planet dying. But I think that your question is too big to ask and there is really no correct answer. All we can do is try and lower our own carbon footprint to save the planet.
In my personal life I will say that I normally use large amounts of water. However I have been trying to focus on reducing my carbon footprint and it is not easy. I have been counting when I wash my hands or turn off the water while I'm brushing my teeth instead of leaving it on. On top of that I have even gone to the extreme of using a bucket to fill up my shower water till its hot enough and use the excess to flush whenever needed. According to United States Environmental Protection Agency the average American uses about 82 gallons per day. By doing the things mentioned I hope to have reduced the amount I have used.
As I have been in my environmental class we have been trying to find different ways to reduce our carbon footprint.One way that has help me physically and also reduce my footprint is taking stairs instead of the elevator. According to Guthrie Orthopedics taking the stairs is good for heart health and circulation. Ever since starting my little side quest it has helped me get some more exercise and improved my hip mobility.
In the shadow of Magic Johnson’s retired jersey and in the building Kobe Bryant made famous, LeBron James made his case for immortality. An 18-foot fadeaway jumper late in the third quarter Tuesday officially established James as the greatest scorer in NBA history, and as the celebrity-sprinkled, sold-out crowd roared its approval, many would admit: They were acknowledging the greatest player the league has ever seen, too.
The GOAT debate will always be a subjective one, fiery conversation for barrooms and barbershops. Michael Jordan supporters are entrenched in their position. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, faces of an earlier era, have plenty of advocates, too. Each has a compelling case. Russell’s championships, Jordan’s perfect Finals record, Wilt’s staggering season averages. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, seated courtside Tuesday, mastered a seemingly impossible shot. In 20 NBA seasons, though, James has done more.
Four NBA championships. Four MVPs. More points in the playoffs than any player in NBA history. And now Abdul-Jabbar’s nearly four-decade reign as the NBA’s regular-season scoring king is in the rearview mirror. Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring title was once considered one of sports’ unbreakable records, like Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak or Wayne Gretzky’s career points total. James, a self-styled pass-first playmaker, has eclipsed it, and there is no telling how much distance he will put between them.
“Impact?” asked Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “Man for man? I think he’s at the top of the list.”
Indeed, James’s statistics are astonishing. He has passed Abdul-Jabbar and is more than 11,000 points ahead of any active player behind him. Just last week he leapfrogged Mark Jackson and Steve Nash, generational playmakers, on the all-time assist list. He has more career rebounds than David Robinson and Ben Wallace. He ranks in the top 10 in steals with an outside chance to pass Clyde Drexler on the list later this season.Jordan backers will point to Michael’s sterling 6–0 Finals record, but before Jordan was beating up on Seattle, Utah and Phoenix in Finals series he was getting wiped out by Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit in the early rounds of the playoffs. Jordan’s Bulls were the betting favorites in each of their Finals appearances while James routinely went into them on the other side. That isn’t meant to marginalize Jordan’s accomplishments as much as to acknowledge James’s 4–6 Finals mark is more impressive than it looks.
Critics will say James cherry-picked rosters, that Ping-Ponging between Cleveland and Miami before settling in Los Angeles somehow diminishes him. But Jordan didn’t change teams because Jordan didn’t have to. He had a Hall of Fame GM in Jerry Krause who identified the talent in Scottie Pippen and brought John Paxson, Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman to the Bulls. He had Phil Jackson on the sideline and an offense tailor made for his talents. James has cycled through a handful of coaches, countless teammates and more than a few systems and has been the driving force behind at least one championship at each of his NBA stops. His five buzzer-beating playoff game-winners are the most in league history—two ahead of Jordan on that list.
James has played five more seasons than Jordan, which in the great GOAT debate is often used as a cudgel. Perhaps James’s peak years can’t match Jordan’s, but his twilight has far outpaced him. Jordan spent his late 30s in a Wizards uniform, racking up numbers for a team going nowhere. The Lakers have struggled this season, but no one would dispute that with better health and a better roster James is still capable of leading a team to a championship. In a postgame interview James reiterated his intention to play “a couple of” more seasons and there is little reason to doubt that James, 38, can’t play at a high level well into his 40s. He wore a white headband on Tuesday, because “that’s where the journey started” and two decades in it appears far from over.
The debate isn’t settled, because it will never be settled, no matter how many points James scores, no matter how many championships he wins. “I can’t take anyone over me,” James told reporters Tuesday and most objective observers wouldn’t, either. One of the NBA’s biggest winners who became one of the NBA’s best playmakers is now its all-time leading scorer. That’s great stuff. GOAT stuff.
Lebronismydad how does lebrons career co exist with the question "What big and bold ideas do you have for reducing personal, community, country and even global carbon footprints? ". Please next time say something that actually goes with the question.
Julien Lebron is the one of the biggest humans in the world, his athleticism and beautiful touch around the rim shows how with his influence can save the world. Also Lebron clears Micheal
I understand what your trying to say buddy but I think that Lebron ain't even that good we all know Michael Jordan is better.
Daddy chill
Saying "Daddy chill" in the context of a serious conversation about climate change is highly inappropriate. Climate change is one of the most urgent and impactful issues we face globally, and dismissing it with a flippant or disrespectful comment undermines the gravity of the situation. It's essential to engage in these conversations with respect and understanding, as they affect our planet's future and the well-being of all living creatures.
LeBron James's career doesn't directly co-exist with the question about carbon footprints, as they are different subjects. However, his influence and career can be linked to the climate discussion through his activism, which can inspire large-scale action on carbon reduction. For example, athletes like him can use their platforms to advocate for community and global climate initiatives, such as transitioning to electric vehicles or reducing energy consumption, similar to what an open letter to LeBron James suggested.
Connecting LeBron's career to climate action
Leveraging a public platform: LeBron James is a globally recognized figure, giving him a powerful platform to raise awareness about climate change and inspire his followers to take action.
Promoting sustainable lifestyles: Just as James has used his influence for social causes, he could use it to encourage sustainable practices among his fans. This includes advocating for the adoption of electric vehicles and promoting energy efficiency, as suggested by Green Sports Blog.
Encouraging collective action: He could use his influence to mobilize other athletes and sports leagues to join the fight against climate change. This approach mirrors the team-oriented nature of basketball and the idea that a collective effort is necessary to win a championship, as Green Sports Blog notes.
Investing in long-term solutions: His philanthropic work through the LeBron James Family Foundation focuses on creating generational change through education. This principle could be applied to climate change by supporting programs that educate and empower the next generation to be environmental stewards.
I believe that the original lebron post was from a student at my same school, same course, same teacher, but a couple of years ago.
Have you ever thought before buying something. Do you need it or do you want it. Many things we buy like clothes or electronics are wants not needs. If we were to just to buy what is necessary it would tremendously help reduce your carbon footprint. For example instead of buying a Brand new iphone take the hand me down or get a refurbished iphone. So next time you wanna buy a nice piece of clothing think twice.
I really like how you connected our everyday shopping habits to our carbon footprint. It's true that a lot of what we buy are wants, not true needs, and we don't always think about the environmental cost behind each new item. I especially agree with your example about phones-choosing a refurbished or hand-me-down device can save money and reduce the demand for new production and all the resources that go with it. I've also started trying to buy secondhand clothes or "shop my closet" before purchasing something new. Your post is a good reminder that small choices add up, and being more intentional when we spend can help both our wallets and the planet.
You help reduce carbon footprint by using some of the principles that World Wildlife Fund has outlined by shifting eating habits and diets that would be greater in plant-based diets and lower animal sourced foods. Meaning, eating more vegetables rather than majority of your diet being meat. This will greatly benefit your health as well, staying away from fewer processed foods, eating in moderation, and choosing more plants. Choosing locally grown plants and meat providers can help cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% - and you're more healthy - but also cut agricultural land use which frees up land that otherwise would be used to raise livestock or grow feed crops. Eating more plants (vegetables, or if you're into plant-based meat) helps reduce pressure on wild habitats, allowing forests and grasslands to regenerate, wildlife to recover and ecosystems to be more resilient.
When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint it might seem like a needle in a haystack compared to the rest of the world, but by doing small steps it can have a change in overall carbon footprint, especially if encouraging your friends and family to also take action. Of course, you have heard about changing the light bulbs in your home to LED's could greatly decrease CO2, but there are other ways you can at home. Setting your water heater thermostat to no greater than 120F, and warping an insulated blanket around the heater can reduce C02 by 1,850 pounds per year. On top of that, you could also install a low-flow shower head and wash your clothes in cold or warm water, instead of hot.
Some ways to reduce my carbon footprint at house is to use renewable power such as wind or solar and use air or ground source heat pumps to heat and cool my house. I could use electric equipment to do yard work. Another thing I can do is turn off lights and fans when exiting a room. All of these practices can help doing my part in protecting the environment.
Source: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Featured-Sto … -Footprint
One way to reduce my carbon footprint is to drive less. I could reduce my carbon emissions by walking or biking to places where I can, use a ride-sharing services, or carpool to school with friends. Another option is to drive an electric vehicle. These solutions would help me decrease my negative impact on the environment and promote sustainability.
Source: https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air- … hicles-and
we all need to collaborate together for save our planet, our lives and the lives of future generations
I agree that we are all important for saving our planet. I would suggest to every country to plant more trees and to organise days when we won't use cars and planes for transport. It would be great if companies produced less plastic and paper to help our planet.
I absolutely agree that if we bonded together, we could have serious improvements on environment. This is just so hard to do when there are quite a few people out there who do not think about the consequences of our actions and only see money or power. That is why those of us who care, really need to connect and start problem-solving where we can.
I Agree with your statement we all need to come together and help with the earth's ecosystem. One person can't do it alone if we use more recyclable goods and sustainable products, we can limit the waste we use. On top of that if we stop spending our money on useless goods and actually start to help donate our money for more eco-friendly options. The earth will be a better state.
My household will be able to reduce gas usage because my brother has just left for collage so we will have less to cook, heat, and cool.
That will help the environment.
nice, maybe if we all lowered our emissions we could save the planet
@sean1111 I agree with this. Every single person on Earth could do something to reduce their footprint and help stop climate change. However, even if one person does one thing to help climate change that is still helpful because no matter how big the action it still contributes to the overall stopping of climate change.





