So there I was, about halfway through the Summer 2000 issue of Co-op America Quarterly. Inside, there was a worksheet that lets one calculate the amount of carbon dioxide that she or he puts into the atmosphere per year.I'd started the same test a few months ago, but when I saw that auto exhaust produces 22 lbs per gallon, I got paranoid about the results and put it down. I had done a lot of driving.
This time, though, I finished it. Thinking back to last June, I made estimates on my road and air travel, and use of mass transit, electricity and propane. Total estimated CO2 output: 18 tons. To be considered compliant with the terms set forth in the Kyoto climate change protocols, each person can be responsible for no more than 16.7 tons of CO2. So I was just over, right?
Well, here's the capper: This quiz is only meant to account for household CO2 production, one third of per-capita output.
The other two-thirds, according to the National Audubon Society, which designed the test, comes from the manufacture or processing of the products we buy, and transport of food and other products by truck or train. Therefore, the personal limit would be 5.5 tons. My 18-ton production certainly did not help. But I've already begun to change my practices.
I encourage you to make your own calculations and then figure out the ways that you can alter and reduce your impact. Please pass this along.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TEST YOUR KYOTO COMPLIANCE [1 mi = 1.61 km; 1 lb = .454 kg; 1 US gal = 3.79 li] 1) Number of miles traveled per year __________ divided by miles per gallon of vehicle _______ multiplied by 22 lbs CO2/gallon = __________ (repeat for each gas motor-driven vehicle) 2) Number of miles of air travel _____________ multiplied by .9 lbs CO2/mile = ___________ 3) Number of miles on mass transit __________ multiplied by .5 lbs CO2/mile = ___________ 4) Number of miles in taxi or limousine _______ multiplied by 1.5 lbs CO2/mile = __________ 5) Kilowatt hours of electricity used __________ multiplied by 1.5 lbs CO2/kw hr = __________ 6) Gallons of heating oil used _______________ multiplied by 22 lbs CO2/gallon = _________ 7) Therms of natural gas used _______________ multiplied by 11 lbs CO2/therm = ___________ 8) Gallons of propane or bottled gas used ______ multiplied by 13 lbs CO2/gallon = ___________ Total per household (add all totals) ___________ divided by number of people in household ______ TOTAL INDIVIDUAL CO2 OUTPUT = __________ (11,000 lbs is Kyoto-compliant) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Buy organic produce
Choose a place to live where you can drive less
Choose a fuel-efficient, low-polluting car
(and maintain it; change your filters! - mr. damon)Choose a power company that offers renewable energy or supports energy efficiency measures
Choose your home carefully -- a bigger house will demand more resources for building, furnishing and heating
Install efficient lighting and appliances
Reduce the environmental costs of heating, cooling and hot water
Set concrete goals for reducing travel
Think twice before buying another car
Walk, bike or use public transport