Shrink your carbon footprint
April 7, 2009
Earth Day is coming up and I hear a lot about a carbon footprint. What is that?
Earth Day has been celebrated each April 22 since 1970. It reminds us to lessen our impact on the environment, which is determined, in part, by the total of our carbon footprint — a measure of how each person impacts the climate. Driving to work, gardening, mowing our lawns, heating and cooling our homes all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
Every family can take steps to reduce its footprint, whether it's a baby step, such as switching to compact fluorescent bulbs or a giant leap, such as giving up the car.
There are many ways to cut energy use besides switching to compact fluorescent lights. They are:
-- Turning off the computer, monitor and other electronics when not in use.
-- Turning off lights when leaving a room.
-- Turning down the thermostat in winter and up in summer.
-- Sealing air leaks.
-- Reducing the use of hot water.
For many of us, the largest part of our carbon footprint is transportation. When running errands, try to reduce the amount of driving you do by combining trips. Or stop at the store on the way home from work. You might also consider taking the bus, or try a carpool. And depending on your circumstances, perhaps you could walk or ride a bicycle. That way you'll even get some exercise.
Support alternatives
Beyond the energy you consume directly, there are other ways to help the environment.
Among them is to support development of more renewable energy resources in the Northwest such as wind, geothermal and solar by buying Clark Public Utilities' Green Lights.
The Green Lights program, which is administered through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, costs $1.50 for a 100 kilowatt-hour block of electricity, in addition to your regular bill. You can buy as many blocks as you'd like to offset all or part of your electricity use.
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation invests Green Lights purchases into new renewable energy projects in the region.
Spending $6 a month to buy four blocks will create the environmental effect of not driving 7,200 miles and not creating 6.7 tons of carbon dioxide.
Reduce consumption
Reducing consumption is another way to help. Buy only durable, long-lasting products and purchase used goods when possible. When shopping, use reusable bags. At home, keep refillable water bottles.
Use curbside recycling to recycle glass, paper, metal and plastic is also important.
Buy products that contain recycled content, such as paper, lumber products, flooring and motor oil.
Little steps add up to big impacts when it comes to helping the environment not only on Earth Day, but every day.
