Many students using our footprint calculator said that they could not pledge to reduce their home footprints because they were not making the decisions for the household. Here is your chance to design your own sustainable virtual household!
If you had your own home, what would you do to make it more energy efficient? Where would you get your electricity from? Where would your house be? Would you live near to your school or work or local transit options? Where would you get your food from?
MY Family Footprint >
Decreasing your transportation carbon emission
My family and I travel a lot, whether it is short distances or long. I was never aware of the impact fuels have and that there are alternatives.
According to http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/B … tation.php
Between 1990 and 2006, emissions in the transportation sector increased by more than 25%, representing almost half of the total national growth in greenhouse gas emissions during this period.
This trend has carried on to present day. To decrease the size of our carbon footprint we can use other sources of transportation. The bike is one of the most environmental friendliest source of information. Bikes should be used more frequently for short distances.
Another alternative is public transportation. Public transportation offers an immediate alternative for individuals seeking to reduce their energy use and carbon footprints. This action far exceeds the benefits of other energy saving household activities, such as using energy efficient light bulbs or adjusting thermostats.
Driving a low carbon vehicle. High mileage doesn’t always m ean low CO2 emissions. All vehicles have an estimated miles-per-gallon rating. Electric cars emit no CO2 if they’re charged with clean electricity. If you don’t charge it with your home’s solar panels AND live somewhere like WY, MO, MO, WV, or KY you’re BETTER OFF with a hybrid or high-mileage gas/diesel car. Here’s why. After incentives and gas savings, it essentially costs nothing to switch to an electric car like the Nissan Leaf and much more beneficial to the environment. (According to http://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/).
I know my family can use these alternatives and help to reduce the amount of carbon emitted in the environment.





