What is your carbon footprint?
Posted: Wed 11 Dec 2019, 02:07:30
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
I scored 4 tons CO2. This is roughly the global average, and about 1/4 that of the average American. I answered the test to match the way I was living before I moved back in with family, due to the fact that I currently live in a household where inputs are inconsistent(lots of wasteful family members that would skew everything up if included in the calculation, and where their use of utilities varies widely from month to month making it difficult to put accurate inputs into the above calculator). I purchased renewable energy, only drove on long trips, used a bicycle for all of my local transport, only sparingly purchased anything for entertainment, kept the electric/water bill very low, consumed very little animal protein compared to the average American, stayed away from airports, went without AC, and the vast majority of my carbon footprint was/is from food. Were I able to grow/raise my own, I'd eliminate most of that. Further reductions could be made if I had my own land and had independence from utilities for water/power/heat. I think it would actually be possible to live quite well with a carbon footprint of 2 tons CO2 or less, which is what is needed in order to stall the worst predicted effects of global warming.
The motivation was not just for environmental reasons, but to save money, as I was trying to get rid of student loan debt and build up some savings. I lived extremely frugally and hardly bought anything, and still live much the same way. The only purchases I'll be making in the near future are parts to finish a project vehicle, as I've been saving every penny towards that end.
I scored 4 tons CO2. This is roughly the global average, and about 1/4 that of the average American. I answered the test to match the way I was living before I moved back in with family, due to the fact that I currently live in a household where inputs are inconsistent(lots of wasteful family members that would skew everything up if included in the calculation, and where their use of utilities varies widely from month to month making it difficult to put accurate inputs into the above calculator). I purchased renewable energy, only drove on long trips, used a bicycle for all of my local transport, only sparingly purchased anything for entertainment, kept the electric/water bill very low, consumed very little animal protein compared to the average American, stayed away from airports, went without AC, and the vast majority of my carbon footprint was/is from food. Were I able to grow/raise my own, I'd eliminate most of that. Further reductions could be made if I had my own land and had independence from utilities for water/power/heat. I think it would actually be possible to live quite well with a carbon footprint of 2 tons CO2 or less, which is what is needed in order to stall the worst predicted effects of global warming.
The motivation was not just for environmental reasons, but to save money, as I was trying to get rid of student loan debt and build up some savings. I lived extremely frugally and hardly bought anything, and still live much the same way. The only purchases I'll be making in the near future are parts to finish a project vehicle, as I've been saving every penny towards that end.