The original idea for this blog came from wanting to help my family learn to reduce our carbon footprint, and the goal is to take babysteps to get us there. Some of the steps have seemed painful to my kids, but they are getting a little bit more "greenwashed" each day. According to Wikipedia, one's carbon footprint is:
"the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" [1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted."
The goal of many, including myself is to reduce the carbon footprint of an individual, family, company, town, country, or the world. The development of alternative energy projects to promote carbon offsetting, such as solar, geothermal, wind energy, and reforestation, are ways to reduce one's carbon footprint. On a smaller scale, not idling the car while in the carpool line, or riding your bike for local errands will also reduce your carbon footprint.
When you think about it, every choice we make can have an impact on our carbon footprint. For example, whether I choose to buy produce that is trucked or flown from far away (this results in emissions and thus my carbon footprint), or buy from a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), or grow my own vegetables does impact my carbon footprint. And although I am only one person, who is trying to teach the other 5 family members, and who chats about the changes we've made to family and friends, I'd like to think that the ripple effect of positive changes will make a difference.
If you are interested in finding out more about CSAs in your area, Google CSA + your town or state, or check out this link http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml You can't beat fresh local produce, it tastes better, you support your local economy, AND you are helping to reduce your carbon footprint! Every little green babystep counts!
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint, July 19, 2010
