Katofsky
 

Our progress

Baseline carbon (pp): 7,418 lbs
12-month carbon (pp on 11/16/08): 6,827 lbs
Percent change: -8%

How we are doing it

We live in a small home that is walking distance to shopping, the kids' schools, and the bike path; close to where Ryan used to work; and bus and T accessible. We own fuel efficient cars, which we try to use as little as possible. We also compost, recycle, and try to keep the consumerism bug in check. We keep our house fairly cool in the winter and warm in the summer - using air conditioning sparingly - and even less when we are not in the house or when we are sleeping. And we have made several energy efficiency improvements to our home including insulation, efficient appliances, a programmable thermostat, replacement windows on the second floor, and energy efficient lighting in most fixtures. So when you add it all up, and then divide by the four members of our household, I guess we're doing pretty well compared to the average household!

Hot tips

  • Reducing your carbon footprint is as much about changing behavior as changing lightbulbs. Consider making behavior changes that you think you can live with, such as shorter showers, turning off lights, walking instead of driving, composting even when using the garbage disposal is easier. Then support and encourage the members of your household to stick with those changes. Not everyone in the same household may be willing to make the same changes - so be understanding and support each other in moving toward manageable goals. You don't need to try to solve everything at once, or get stressed out or feel guilty. By taking small steps over time, you are making a positive change.

  • Buy a nice big shopping cart - they're not just for your grandmother! These can be bought at places like Target and Ace Hardware. Put a stiff piece of cardboard on the bottom so you can load it with whatever you want: groceries, sports equipment, etc. I take mine to the park with the kids.

  • If you're willing to bike ride but don't because you have young kids, consider getting a bike trailer or tag-along.
  • When you are feeling cold or hot in your home, try to think not of ambient room temperature, but of your own body. Dress warmer and wear slippers in the winter, dress coolly and use fans in the summer. Hint: a cool wet facecloth draped around the back of your neck cools your core temperature... this can be especially helpful in extreme heat or if you are frail.
  • Think about your consumption when you are out of the home. Try carrying around a plastic cup with you, and filling it up with water instead of wasting cups or buying prepackaged drinks. Consider carrying home your recyclables if they cannot be recycled where you use them.

  • Your refrigerator and lights are among the biggest users of electricity in your home. Replace light bulbs with efficient ones, and if your fridge is old, (especially if it is more than about 15 years old), consider getting a new one.

  • Newer, larger homes typically have "zones" for heating and cooling. If yours doesn't, you can create zones by putting a heavy curtain at the top or bottom of the stairs to the second floor. This helps control what space gets heating or air conditioning (e.g., put it at the top in the summer and you don't end up air conditioning the ground floor at night if you are sleeping with the A/C on, or at the bottom of the stairs if your thermostat is downstairs and the heat rises disproportionately to the top floor).