Earth Day 2022
Earth Day is April 22nd
What are you doing to invest in our planet?
Get ready to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow!
If you were directed to my website, you’re most likely already following a whole food plant-based or vegan diet. But are you aware that:
Every individual who is plant-based or vegan, saves 1100 gallons of water, nearly 40 pounds of grain, and 30 square feet of forested land each day.
Transportation accounts for 27% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions – The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over 90% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum based, which includes primarily gasoline and diesel.
Electricity production accounts for 25% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions – Electricity production generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 60% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
The Industry sector accounts for 24% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions – Greenhouse gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials.
Commercial and Residential accounts for 13% of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions – Greenhouse gas emissions from businesses and homes arise primarily from fossil fuels burned for heat, the use of certain products that contain greenhouse gases, and the handling of waste.
Meat is problematic, not only for our health but also for the planet. Agriculture accounts for 24% greenhouse gas emissions – Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture have increased by 6% since 1990, this is alarming.
Deforestation and Biodiversity. How much do you know about deforestation and biodiversity? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.
NASA inspires us to be better stewards of our planet by hosting a virtual event tomorrow featuring speakers, games and an educational learning zone. YOU can be a part of it by registering on the NASA website.
What habits can you implement to reduce your global footptint?
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint From Driving
Alternatives to driving When possible, walk or ride your bike in order to avoid carbon emissions completely. Carpooling and public transportation drastically reduce CO2 emissions by spreading them out over many riders.
Drive a low carbon vehicle High mileage doesn’t always mean low CO2 emissions. All vehicles have an estimated miles-per-gallon rating. Electric cars emit no CO2 if they’re charged with clean electricity. If you don’t charge it with your home’s solar panels you’re BETTER OFF with a hybrid or high-mileage gas/diesel car. After incentives and gas savings, it essentially costs nothing to switch to an electric car like the affordable Nissan Leaf.
Reduce Your Home Energy Carbon Footprint
Appliances Make energy efficiency a primary consideration when choosing a new furnace, air conditioning unit, dishwasher, or refrigerator. Products bearing the Energy Star label are recognized for having superior efficiency.
Lighting Turn off lights you’re not using and when you leave the room. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent or LED ones.
Thermostat Don’t set it too high or low. Install a programmable model to turn off the heat/air conditioning when you’re not home and when you go to bed.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint From Food
Eat locally grown and organic food. It has been estimated that 13 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from the production and transporting food. Transportation of food requires petroleum-based fuels, and many fertilizers are also fossil fuel-based.
Cut beef, pork and dairy. It takes a lot of resources to raise cows, and it’s especially bad if you buy beef from somewhere like Brazil, where it was grazed on land that used to be a tropical forest but was cleared for agricultural use. Deforestation is a top contributor to carbon emissions and thus climate change.
Other Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Water Usage
Lower the amount of energy used to pump, treat, and heat water by washing your car less often, install drip irrigation so that garden plants receive only what they need better yet plant an aeroponic garden. Make water-efficient choices when purchasing shower heads, faucet heads, toilets, dishwashers and washing machines.
Reuse and Recycle
It has been estimated that 24% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from the “provision of goods,” which means the extraction of resources, manufacturing, transport, and final disposal of “goods” which include consumer products and packaging, building components, and passenger vehicles, but excluding food. By buying used products and reselling or recyling items you no longer use, you dramatically reduce your carbon footprint from the “provision of goods.”
Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsetting should not be done in place of taking steps to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Carbon offsetting and carbon footprint reduction should be done in tandem. Follow this link to Measure Your Carbon Footprint which not only reveals where you’re currently at, but also helps to identify areas for improvement and tracking your progress. Offsetting the amount which you are not able to avoid empowers you to take full responsibility for your carbon pollution, which is your contribution to climate change.
The good news is that carbon’s carbon, no matter the source. Any step you can take to reduce CO2 — from limiting air travel to installing solar panels — helps fight climate change. In addition, cutting out or your reducing your consumption of meat is something that almost anyone can do. This small switch can make a big impact.
Unlike other complex solutions, food is so simple, each and every one of us has the power to make a positive impact three or more times a day, with every food choice we make. According to Project Drawdown, transitioning to a plant-rich diet is the number four solution out of 100 to reducing total atmospheric CO2 , reducing food waste — another thing we can each do individually — is number three.
For more information, check out this Earth Day Fact Sheet.
