According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, many of our daily activities, such as using electricity, driving a car, or disposing of waste, cause greenhouse gas emissions. Together these emissions make up a household’s measurable carbon footprint.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021 cited greenhouse gases as “the most significant driver of observed climate change since the mid-20th century.”
The average carbon footprint for an individual in the United States is 16 tons. That’s one of the highest rates in the world; globally the average is about 4 tons. The power to reduce greenhouse gases and forestall (if not reverse) climate change is within each of us, and you can start by learning what your own or your household’s footprint is. Use one of these easy online calculators and find out: Global Footprint Network; Nature Conservancy; Conservation International; and 8 Billion Trees. For a more detailed assessment, try the CoolClimate Network or EPA calculators.
In next month’s eNews, we will share tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and by doing so, contribute to a more sustainable future for the planet.