After calculating my carbon footprint for the home section which is higher than the average at 5,273 kgs, I knew that I needed to make changes on the way I am living at home. If I could have my own home there would be some changes I would make.

First, I would want to stay in California because we have great weather and I would want to install solar panels so that they can convert the sunlight into electrical energy which would be a source of electricity that could help reduce the amount of CO2 I am using. According to Suntuity Solar, "By switching to solar-powered energy, you can drastically reduce your household's carbon footprint, which is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by your home." Also, according to berkley.edu, "A residential solar panel system, for example, has the capability of providing for the electricity needs of an entire home with about 80% lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels." https://nature.berkeley.edu/classes/es1 … M_2013.pdf
https://suntuitysolar.com/suntuityblog/ … our%20home.

Secondly, I would want to have my own garden so that I can grow my own fruits and vegetables to be sustainable and not have to go buy groceries and save money. Growing my own garden also promotes good eating habits and exercise habits as well as family bonding and stress relief. According to Washington State University, "The carbon-rich humus in fertile soils keeps carbon out of the atmosphere for many years. Better management of our soils can capture and remove 21 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S." Also according to lbl.gov, "Plants, through photosynthesis, and soils sequester roughly a third of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere each decade from the burning of fossil fuels." https://extension.wsu.edu/king/tip-shee … can%20help. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2021/12/08/p … il%20fuels.

Lastly, I would want to live close to my school so I can walk and not waste CO2 by driving and wasting unnecessary gas. Right now I live kind of far from my school and I am wasting a lot of gas and using a lot of CO2 every day by driving to school and I want to reduce that by living closer to school. Also walking instead of driving is better for you because that is a form of exercise and is healthy for the body rather than just sitting in a car while you are driving. According to The Daily Californian, "Walking instead of driving means that you're contributing less to climate change. Of course, when you're walking more you also need more fuel for your body through food and water and food production can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions." Also, according to Blue and Green Tomorrow, "Walking is the best way to help the environment. One study concluded that walking a mile and a half would release 75% less greenhouse gases than we would produce from driving the same distance. Driving less doesn't just help the environment. It can also make us healthier." https://dailycal.org/2021/04/26/stop-dr … u-can-walk. https://blueandgreentomorrow.com/enviro … 0healthier.

I am going to start practicing these things to help reduce my carbon footprint and you can too! There are also many different ways and things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint not only at home but with food, transportation, etc. What are some things or ways that can help you reduce your carbon footprint?