The buzz about carbon offsets is growing to a fever pitch, as more and more corporations announce that they are pursuing ‘carbon neutral’ initiatives to reduce their carbon footprints. But while climate change science continues to warn Western countries about the imminent dangers of greenhouse gases, there’s still a lot of guesswork surrounding these offset programs and their effectiveness in reducing emissions.
Moreover, many people aren’t even certain about the things that contribute to their own carbon footprint, much less about whether the sustainability efforts of a large company will actually have a positive impact on the planet.
That’s why becoming more informed on the little-known facts about your own carbon footprint can have such an impact. By identifying these areas, you can make changes that reduce and eliminate carbon emissions right away.
#1. Pet Footprints Are Bigger that You May Know
We know that certain activities, like driving, increase your carbon footprint, but did you know that owning a pet can too? Of course, your household energy doesn’t change with a pet, but the industry has a heavier footprint than many people realize. Dogs rank the highest, generating about as much carbon as a small SUV.
A study conducted by the University of California's Institute of Environment and Sustainability in 2017 found that domestic cats and dogs in the US generated 25-30 percent of the environmental impact of meat consumed in the country, accounting for 64 million tonnes of C02, which equals the yearly emissions of 13 million gas or diesel cars.
However, others have disputed those numbers, claiming that pet foods are a byproduct of human food processing and don't generate more emissions. But, that isn’t true for all countries around the world.
Regardless of the contention between research measurements, the fact remains that domestic pets do increase your carbon footprint, it’s the amount that’s being disputed.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Tip: Check the eco-friendly and sustainable options on your pet food options and choose a company that is working to reduce emissions.
#2. Your Clothes Dryer is the Second Biggest Carbon Producer in Your Home
Although there may be some confusion about the carbon emissions generated by pets, there’s none whatsoever concerning electricity use. And, other than your climate control (heat and air) system, your clothes dryer is the most energy consuming appliance in your home… generating as much as 2400 pounds of carbon emissions a year.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Tip: An inexpensive clothes line can be used to reduce your dryer emissions overnight! Even if you only air-dry half your loads of laundry, you can save money and eliminate energy emissions.
#3. Methane Is Much Worse than Carbon Emissions
Carbon Dioxide gets a lot of press, because it’s the most prominent greenhouse gas that we generate. But, it’s not the most harmful (i.e. the gas with the highest heat trapping potential). That’s methane. And methane is released in massive quantities by landfills, as biomass decomposes.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Tip: Create your own indoor composting bin. Not only will you have rich plant food to nourish any houseplants you have, but you’ll be reducing the amount of biowaste that generates methane gases.
#4. Not All Carbon Offsets Are Equal
You’ve likely heard of recent green initiatives like Save the Earth being lauded by large corporations as their commitment to carbon neutrality. While that’s an admirable goal… there are vast differences between carbon offset programs and the actual number of emissions that are being removed from the atmosphere.
For example, there are different types of forestry offset plans, such as afforestation (planting trees where no trees existed) and reforestation (planting trees to replace those that have been cut down or burned). Both are laudable actions that can reduce carbon emissions, but they aren’t equal by a long shot.
If afforestation programs are used as offsets, the new forests are often allowed to be harvested within 20-40 years. Once the trees are removed, their carbon storing potential is erased. Likewise, there is a risk of introducing invasive species when planting trees where none existed before.
However, when reforestation is done with the intent of rebuilding ecosystems for the long run, the carbon removal potential becomes just that… a way to actually remove emissions from the atmosphere.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Tip: Investigate the offset programs used by companies where you spend your money and support businesses that actually offset their emissions for good… not as a temporary fix.
#5. Measuring Your Carbon Emissions Is Easy, Fast, and Effective
Despite growing awareness, many people still don’t know their personal emissions measurement. Fortunately, there are many online tools available to calculate it, based on your lifestyle and location.
In fact, it’s easier than ever to discover your footprint, and in doing so, you can often identify areas in your life that can be easily altered to reduce it.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Tip: Measure your ecological impact using an online footprint calculator, then purchase effective offsets to remove your emissions.
Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to mean quitting your job, selling your car, and moving into the woods to live without electricity. You can have a big impact on your personal emissions with small changes to your daily activities.
And, if we all commit to making these lifestyle changes, we can do more in the fight against climate change, while helping the planet rebuild and restore itself.