Category Archives: Carbon Footprint Reduction

Carbon Footprint Reduction, Kindness, Oceans

Carry Your Garbage?

TrashThe other week I gave the college students in my sustainability class a homework project. They had to carry their garbage, in a plastic or paper, bag with them for 48 consecutive hours. If they bought a plastic water bottle or can of soda they had to take that empty or half-full container and put it in their bag when they were done with it. If they went to a fast-food restaurant they had to take all of the wrappers and containers and put them in the bag too. If they cooked dinner and had zucchini scrapes and chicken fat that had to go into the bag too. At first they were shocked when I gave them the assignment. After a few minutes it started to sink in and they, as individuals, were going to see how much trash they created. Since I could not monitor each student they were on an honor system and had to report, with color photos, how they had done.

Most of my students thanked me for giving them this assignment. They had not realized how much plastic they used or how much garbage they were responsible for. Some even stopped using throw away plates and utensils and started using washable ones to cut down on the amount of trash they created. And many realized how much money they were wasting on buying water in plastic bottles instead of drinking from a re-usable container. A couple of students remembered that too much trash goes into the oceans and kills dolphins, turtles, and seals. And for every pound of trash we put into a landfill we put 40 pounds of carbon pollution into the atmosphere. So now I challenge you. How little trash can your produce? Why not try the homework assignment for 48 hours?

Carbon Footprint Reduction

A True Honor

CRP image2For the past several years Vice President Al Gore and his nonprofit organization, The Climate Reality Project, have been working tirelessly to teach people about the reality of climate change and empower them to become climate leaders. Trainings are held annually in places such as San Francisco, Chicago, Istanbul, and Sao Paolo.  Additionally, they are sometimes offered several times in one year. Now there are over 8,000 Climate Leaders worldwide, representing over 186 countries.

I had the honor and pleasure to recently work, again, as a Mentor with Vice President Gore at a Miami training conference. We educated people of all ages and from all walks of life. These people included doctors, lawyers, high school students, retirees, photographers, independent business owners, teachers, executives, administrators, and politicians. They are planting trees and gardens, installing solar panels, saving dolphins and seals, running for elected office, and producing television programs.

I have said it before, now is the time to make a difference. Be the one to reduce your carbon footprint. Be the one to reduce your family’s consumption patterns. Be the one who ensures a safe and livable planet for your children. Stand up for what is right. There is no time to waste.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

“You Make a Difference, part II”

YouIn May I wrote about how you can make a positive difference in the world. And I spoke about each one of us having an impact on the world around us. Someone asked me for more ways to reduce his carbon footprint. Here are some more ideas below.
1. Vote for politicians who are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Fly less often.
3. Buy locally produced products.
4. Sell your fossil fuel investments and buy alternative energy investments.
5. Trim a tree, do not cut it down.
6. Consider your purchases and reduce your consumption levels.
7. Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
8. Wash your clothes in cold water, not hot.
9. Unplug your electric appliances when not using them.
10. Get a free home energy audit from the utility company.
11. Limit your use of gas-powered lawn equipment.
12. Use recycled paper.
13. Work from home one day per week.
14. Print documents only when necessary.
15. Drive a fuel-efficient car.
16. Install a white or reflective roof instead of black shingles.
17. Carpool.
18. Become a vegan or vegetarian.

Carbon Footprint Reduction, Children, Leadership, Uncategorized

Did you see the Pope’s latest announcement?

Pope FrancisThis morning Pope Francis released an encyclical about climate change. People have been talking about it for months and eagerly waiting to see what would be said. An encyclical is a papal letter sent to all bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. Of particular note, the letter basically establishes the church’s position on an issue.

The reason this document has attracted so much attention is the fact that the Pope has taken a stand on a controversial issue, human-caused climate change. Now I have not yet read the text, but the Pope was expected to speak of climate change in broad terms and bring moral, ethical and religious concerns to a debate which has often been framed as only an environmental one.

A leaked version of the encyclical quotes the Pope as saying “climate change raises the deepest questions about humanity…what is our ethical and moral responsibility to each other?”. And I will bet we will read something about climate change affecting those who are the poorest and least equipped to handle the burdens brought on by extreme drought, devastating floods, and horrific wildfires.

The encyclical should have far-reaching effects. It may change the nature of political discussions among the presidential candidates in the United States, and hopefully will positively affect the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change talks in Paris in December. A new global climate treaty is to be crafted at that time.

Critics of Pope Francis will say that he should not discuss scientific matters. That said, I am sure he has relied on the best scientific information.  And I am certain the Pope has listened to Caritas Internationalis (the Church’s overseas aid agency) telling him that development work with the world’s poorest is being undone by climate change effects. The bottom line, those who have contributed the least to climate change are paying the highest price in terms of its consequences, and that includes the animal kingdom.