For many years, I have implemented a project per year that will have a positive impact on the environment. If you believe (like I do) that you can have more of an impact than simply voting on election day, recycling, and using LED light bulbs, and you are curious about what you can do that will have a considerable impact environmentally, fits your budget and time allocation, then read on! This site estimates (eventually, not yet) the effects on greenhouse gas, water or wildlife, in numbers for each project. I will also describe how the projects I implemented also benefitted me in other ways: reducing costs, increasing comfort, increasing health, in addition to protecting our world.
According to Climate Watch (2023), the average person in the U.S. generates the highest average, at 15.96 tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) per year. Russia, South Korea and Iran are between 10-12.5 tons per person, China and Japan emit between 8 and 9 tons, Europe is at 6.61 tons and India at 2.29 tons, per person. Certainly, for many countries (and the U.S. in particular) there is room for improvement!
A best estimate of personal GHG emissions that we are directly responsible for (e.g, residential use, excluding industrial) we see the following allocation for U.S.* and worldwide (EPA 2023, Climate Watch 2023):
This site looks at each of these areas to see how you, personally, can calculate and improve your GHG footprint. This site discuses a variety of options you can choose from, listing the implications and benefits of each.
There is no judgment here! Select the actions that are optimal for your life. In my case, I did not install solar panels because I was not sure if I would stay in that house: instead I selected to purchase renewable energy from our electricity provider. I needed to drive to my job (not take public transportation), so instead I purchased a hybrid vehicle. This site describes many actions so you might select options that are right for your life!
You will definitely benefit yourself, in addition to the environment by taking these actions! Benefits I encountered for various projects include:
Energy efficiency: I initially felt a breeze over my bed sleeping at night – and my older house would go down 10 degrees in one half hour. After my energy efficiency efforts, my gas and electric bills both decreased considerably. Now, whether summer or winter, my house temperature is stable and comfortable in each room – no freezing rooms.
Planting trees: I planted peach and apple trees, and raspberry and blackberry bushes, and now I harvest fruit. Planting trees also increases home values and attractiveness, reduces air conditioning costs, and clean the air, if you tend toward allergies or asthma.
This website evaluates alternative impacts related to the topics on the menu below or above: energy efficiency, transportation, gardening, and diet. This website describes actions I have completed or am considering for the future.
References
Climate Watch. (2023, Sept. 14) Historical GHG Emissions. Climate Watch. https://www.climatewatchdata.org/ghg-emissions?calculation=PER_CAPITA&end_year=2020®ions=TOP&start_year=1990
EPA. (2023) Data Highlights: Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2021. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/Data-Highlights-1990-2021.pdf.