Shrink Your Carbon Footprint and Heal the Planet
The average American pigs out at the proverbial fossil fuel trough by consuming goods and services that add 20 tons of Greenhouse gases (CO2) annually to our atmosphere and oceans. By comparison, the average global citizen consumes and emits 5 tons of CO2 annually. Based on 7.5 billion people, the world needs to reach an average of 2.5 tons per person annually to prevent our pending climate and extinction emergencies.
What carbon diet choice resolutions are you willing to make?
These small changes are relatively simple and can help:
- Hanging your clothes outside to dry instead of Clothes dryer saves .21 tons CO2 annually
- Recycling everything possible saves .22 tons CO2 annually
- Washing clothes in cold water saves .25 tons CO2 annually
- Driving a Prius or another hybrid car saves .5 tons CO2 annually
- Not eating meat or fish saves .8 tons CO2 annually
But why not resolve in 2018 to make the changes that will have the greatest impact toward fulfilling your goal of being the “biggest loser” of carbon consumption:
- Switching from a gas-powered car to an all electric car saves 1.3 tons CO2 annually
- Buying green energy saves 1.5 tons CO2 annually
- Taking 1 less transatlantic flight saves 1.6 tons CO2 annually
- Living car-free saves 2.4 tons CO2 annually
And the biggest thing anyone can do to help the planet:
- Having 1 less child saves 58 tons CO2 annually
For each child we bear we are responsible for 50% of his or her carbon emissions for their entire lifetime. When you add up the carbon legacy of each subsequent generation it equals 60 tons of CO2 saved annually having one less child.
If you are past childbearing age, you can still help by promoting the benefits of a small family ethic among friends and family.
