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How Big is Your (Carbon) Footprint?

By Literacy 'n' Poverty Project
*This post was written in collaboration with over 7,500 other blogs from 140 countries for Blog Action Day 2009.

The Pew Center for Global Climate Change is an invaluable resource for information on how society has effected the environment and how changes in the environment are affecting society. Their purpose is to

“… bring [sic] together business leaders, policy makers, scientists, and other experts to bring a new approach to a complex and often controversial issue. Our approach is based on sound science, straight talk, and a belief that we can work together to protect the climate while sustaining economic growth.”

The website is organized to educate and empower both professionals and private citizens. My favorite feature is Tips on Curbing Your Personal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.


Here are some ways you can shrink your carbon footprint, and do your part to protect the environment, without increasing your expenses …


At Home:
• Lower your thermostat 2° in winter and raise it 2° in summer
• Turn off and unplug electronics like your TV, DVD and computer when not in use
• Regularly defrost your freezer
• Go paperless for your bank and credit card statements


Out & About:
• Bring along a reusable shopping bag
• Plan multiple stops during one trip instead of multiple shorter trips to save gas
• Reuse lunch containers, coffee mugs and water bottles instead of buying disposable.


For More Ideas Check out these Resources:
* No-Cost Low-Cost Tips for Saving Money & Energy from the Alliance to Save Energy
* Energy Savers Booklet from U.S. Department of Energy: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home (pdf)
* The Power of Green from Con Edison: Tips to Help You Go Green & Save Some Green
* Tips on Curbing Your Personal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from The Pew Center for Global Climate Change


What do you do to reduce your own carbon footprint? Share it in the comments!

This post was written by Leslie Marie, a volunteer blogger with the Literacy ‘n’ Poverty Project. Leslie lives in New York City and has done outreach and research for the Ad Council. For the past year she directed the marketing and recruiting efforts for an alternative teaching certification program run by a national education consulting organization. Please leave your comments or send us an email with your questions.
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