So you want to create giant waves? A guide to create small ripples

My knowledge on 'carbon footprint' is limited so if you are like me, don’t feel too bad about it. Yes, I know and have heard the term but did I really understand what it really meant? The answer is no. The only thing left to do was research. Before I delve into the research part, the word footprint, is defined as an impression that is made when we walk or run. It serves as a reminder of your presence. It tells anyone coming behind you that you were here. This made me wonder what impressions will we leave behind for those who come after?

'Carbon footprint' is the “total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, place or product expressed as carbon equivalents.” This term ‘carbon footprint’ was popularized by BP, an oil and gas company using a $250 million campaign as an attempt to divert public attention from the call for restrictions to be placed on fossil fuel companies and placing the responsibility on the individual for solving climate change. Maybe most people knew about this but I surely did not know.

It is very difficult to calculate the exact ‘carbon footprint’ as data and knowledge are both limited during this present time, but we are aware that our activities as humans are major contributing factors resulting in greenhouse emissions. This then leads to an increase in the earth’s temperature that can have an effect on climate change (increased likelihood of precipitation, a decrease in the pH of the ocean and warming of the ocean). Climate change isn’t new and has been occurring since the 1820s with the introduction of the Industrial Revolution. Because we as humans rely heavily on fossil fuel and energy consumption in combination with increased deforestation, the level of greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere has increased which then makes it even harder to be decreased. With all that being said, we should not get discouraged as there are many things we can do to reduce our 'carbon footprint' and save the oceans. The important thing is to get educated and to act on recommendations. Let us start by finding ways in which we can create some ripples.

A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology states that US house hold consumption has accounted to approximately 80 % of voluntary greenhouse gas emissions. This number was both surprising and alarming to me. Another study published in 2017 in Environmental Research Letters states that the best way that a person can decrease their carbon footprint is to have one less child. Living without a car came in second followed by giving up or reducing air travel by 20%, and having a plant-based diet. This study also concluded that the government resources that focus on ways to decrease climate change have a modest effect.

“A US family who chooses to have one fewer child would provide the same level of emissions reductions as 684 teenagers who choose to adopt comprehensive recycling for the rest of their lives.”

In trying to find ways that I can help decrease my 'carbon footprint', I have come across some recommendations that we can all do.

1. Drive Less: Alternatives to driving include walking, biking, carpooling with friends/family/co-workers and using public transportation at least 20 miles per week. This decrease in fuel usage will result in fewer fuel emissions into the atmosphere. For those of us who still wish to drive our own cars, there are some things we can do as well. The study in Environmental Science and Technology recommends trading two, 20 mile per gallon (mpg) vehicles. Get one 25 mpg vehicle for the household as a replacement. In addition, they recommend less speeding and aggressive braking. Tires should always be kept properly inflated and the filters need to be replaced on a regular basis. If your job allows it, telecommuting 20 miles per week can also be very beneficial.

2. Change your diet: Eating fewer calories by decreasing your portion sizes of meat and dairy can contribute to decreasing your 'carbon footprint'. Animal protein especially red meat and rice (typically manufactured in high methane emitting paddles), heavily processed and packaged foods are some of the major contributors to a high 'carbon footprint'. According to scientists at the University of Chicago “the average American diet which derives 28% of its calories from animal foods is responsible for approximately one and a half more tons of greenhouse gases– per person, per year than a fully plant-based or vegan diet.” Based on their calculation, a 33.33% replacement of animal protein with plant protein in the human diet can reduce the diet carbon foot print by ½ ton. If this replacement is increased to 2/3, it can be the same as changing from a Toyota Camry to a Prius.

3. Practice the quadruple Rs prior to recycling: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Rot and then Recycle.

• Use reusable items such as thermoses for drinks like coffee and plastic containers for drinks like water and other cold beverages. You can save thousands of reusable bottles rather than buying single use ones.

• Copy documents on both sides of the paper instead of single page copying as another means of reducing waste.

• Bring your reusable grocery bags made out of cloth with you when you go shopping. Refrain from using paper and plastic bags.

• You can donate or share used clothing, equipment and toys instead of disposing of them as long as they are in good shape and are usable. They can be taken to thrift stores, goodwill and salvation army.

• Learn how to fix things before throwing them away. Buy a knife sharpener for your knives, sharpen gardening tools and repurpose or refinish old furniture.

• Refrain from throwing food away. Food disposal can increase personal carbon emissions within the household and further increases it as transportation is needed to drive the waste products to the disposal sites. Keep in mind that food decomposition when it goes to the landfill releases a form of methane which is a highly potent greenhouse gas. Allow your kitchen scraps to rot. Compost helps make great soil. It can be a fun activity for kids. “If ½ of the waste is recycled within a household, it has the potential to salvage 1.2 tons of carbon dioxide on an annual basis.”

• Buy in bulk when shopping which reduces the amount of packaging needing to be recycled.

4. Use less air conditioning and heating. You can begin by improving insulation within the home by adding it to the walls, installing weather stripping, adding caulking around doors and windows which can reduce heating costs by 25%. We can also help with insulation by changing how we dress. Microfleece is a great material of choice as wearing a long layer of underwear made from this material can conserve as much body heat as wearing a full layer of clothing. This is a very inexpensive way to help insulate the body. Other ways to help include reducing the heat at night while sleeping or when no one is at home. “Setting the thermostat 2 degrees lower in winter and higher during the summer can save about 1 ton of carbon dioxide each year.” Instead of using a dryer, you can dry your clothes on the line. Simple things like the replacement of five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs is also recommended. Ensuring that you pick energy efficient appliances like the refrigerator is helpful.

5. House hold size: two households occupied by a single individual has the same carbon foot print as a single household with two adults and two children. Something to keep in mind.

6. There is also a ‘carbon handprint’ movement which is a means of helping others such as individuals and companies lower their 'carbon footprint'. Some examples are increased use of public transportation and planting trees in areas of deforestation. This will decrease their 'carbon footprint' and increase their handprint.

I did an internal evaluation of my life to determine in what ways am I contributing to an increase in greenhouse emissions, what are some of the things I am doing that are decreasing greenhouse emissions and the ways in which I can make changes to my current lifestyle. Based on the recommendations that I have provided, I will be more intentional about decreasing my 'carbon footprint' now that I have a better understanding of the term. Let’s start off my creating ripples and we will eventually create waves.