If you want to have an idea of how much you are personally adding to the climate change crisis, check out a carbon calculator.

 

There are dozens of carbon calculators on the internet for you determine your “carbon foot print.” This is the measure of the impact of your activities on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gas you produce.  It is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a carbon calculator for people to use at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.

 

According to the EPA Personal Emissions calculator, if your family averages about 20,000 miles of driving per year in vehicles that average 20 miles per gallon, you cause about 20,420 pounds of carbon dioxide to be released each year. If you switch to hybrid vehicles that average 40 miles per gallon, you cause about 10,210 pounds of carbon dioxide to be released. In this case, doubling the fuel efficiency of the cars saves 10,210 pounds. 

If your family averages an $100 electric bill each month, you will cause about 16,440 pounds of carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere. This means that if you switch to your electric company’s green energy program, you will save most or all of that 16,440 pounds.

 

For most families, switching their electric company’s green energy program would most likely prevent more greenhouse gas emissions than only driving a Prius. But both changes make a big difference!

 

It is so easy to buy green energy.  Call your utility company and they will help get you enrolled. For a little bit extra, you will know that you are helping to do your part to prevent the worst of global warming, and helping the development of a green electric grid.

 

Copyright 2008 Christine Missik