I wanted to find out what my personal contribution to global warming is.

This is called a carbon footprint - a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated and released to the environment. Carbon footprints can be calculated for anything- individuals, products, businesses, industries, communities, countries.

They’re computed either as a “Life Cycle Assessment (LSA) - “cradle to grave” CO2 emissions generated - or an immediate CO2 impact. For example, I can calculate the impact of driving my car, or I can calculate the car’s impact from manufacturing to disposal. Carbon is measured in metric tons.

I determined I’ll contribute 28 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) to global warming using a carbon footprint calculator I found at a web site called Nature Conservancy.

This did not compare favorably to the rest of the world. Here are my results. Kind of embarassing to be running an environmental website and be above average as far as trashing the planet goes. I almost didn’t come clean.

Turns out that according to a study done at MIT, even a homeless person in the United States contributes more CO2 to the environment then the average person in the rest of the world.

Here’s their study’s results:

How can I offset my Carbon emissions? Turns out that little things I do go along way.

Things I already do: Recycle, own a fuel efficient vehicle, eat locally grown produce when I can get it, use cloth grocery bags. 50% of my electricity comes from hydro-power.

Improvements I can make: Next time around, I’ll buy energy saver appliances. I can walk or bike more around town, instead of driving, eat less meat, and compost my table scraps.

I’ll continue to find ways to re-use, give it away, sell it, or buy it used. I do this now, but could do it a lot more.

I’ll never be able to do this all the time. But if I practice my 80/20 rule- if I do it 80% of the time I’m good- then I’ll sleep better.

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