All of you have calculated your emissions and you have surely discovered the unexpectedly high impact of some of your behaviors (eating meat, flying to a sunny destination, etc.) on your total footprints.
Are there any behaviors that you are really willing to change or to improve for the sake of the environment? What challenges do you encounter or think you will encounter while trying to change these things? What help, support, and insights from others would make your life easier with these new behaviors?
Let's discuss these issues and make our pledges here!
Now It's Time for Action >
Reducing Carbon Emissions: The Simple Ways
The average person worldwide produces about 4 tons of CO2 yearly, while the average American produces 16 tons. At this rate, global temperature will rise by approximately 2.5°C by the year 2040. This would increase the risk of extreme heat waves, droughts, floods, sea level rise, and the overall ecosystem collapse. In today's modern world, producing carbon is inevitable, but reducing carbon release will go a long way. Most carbon emissions come from households, and simple ways to reduce emissions are by switching to LED light bulbs, unplugging inactive devices, air drying wet clothes, washing clothes with cold water, and using ceiling fans during warm seasons. High carbon emissions also come from transportation. This can simply be reduced by carpooling and using public transportation. Working from home is another recommendation, if possible, to decrease the necessity for transport. Food is another significant factor in high carbon rates. Eating less meat and dairy, buying locally grown food, and composting food scraps decrease carbon production. Finally, what a person buys impacts the environment and ecosystem via carbon emissions. Producing more products for human use releases CO2 into the air. A simple way to help is by buying only what you need, repairing rather than replacing, and using recycled materials.