STEPS WE CAN TAKE

WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The following LIST OF THINGS WE CAN DO is only one of many lists that are available.  Following the list is a description of what your CARBON FOOTPRINT is and how to determine it.  We encourage you to check it out.


A good goal would be to pick a few items that you can do now and then plan to add others when you are able.  Post the list on a wall or inside a cabinet door where you are reminded of the list daily.  (Copy and paste to a Word document)  Yes! Each and everyone of these makes a difference.  The more you do the bigger the contribution you make.  Be proud of each and everything you do.  Your kids and grandkids will appreciate what you do for their future.

LIST OF THINGS WE CAN DO

1.  EDUCATION

• ____Learn about the environmental crisis and ecological justice.  Check out Resources page of this website.
• ____Read about or join a study group fostering voluntary simplicity.  Join the IFCC South Metro.  See the "About" page of this website.

2.  GREEN YOUR LIVING SPACE
Energy Use

• ____Alternative energy: solar/ geothermal/ purchase wind or solar from your energy company.
  
• ____Purchase Energy Star appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, water heater, dehumidifier) and high efficiency furnace, air conditioner, and windows.
• ____Get programmable thermostat.  Lower thermostat in winter; raise it in summer.  Change settings when away.  Use ceiling fans.
• ____Clean and replace filters for all appliances especially the furnace regularly.
  
• ____Replace all incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs.
• ____When not in use, turn off lights, TV, computer, appliances.
• ____Turn off TV, computer, microwave, etc. at the strip/ plug.
• ____Run full loads in dish washer, washer, and dryer.  Use short cycles and or clothes line.
• ____Use microwave/ toaster oven/ slow cooker rather than oven/range.
• ____Set refrigerator at 36F to 42F, freezer at -5F to +6F, and water heater at 120F.
• ____Use cold or warm water when washing clothes; rinse in cold water.
• ____Insulate walls/attic.  Repair leaks around windows/doors.  Lock windows to seal.
• ____Repair hot water leaks.  Insulate water heater ("blanket") + hot water pipes (wrap).
• ____Contribute to organizations that will offset your carbon use with tree planting projects.

Cleaning Products

• ____Use non-toxic dish detergent and laundry detergent.
• ____Use safe cleaning products either purchased or homemade.
• ____Avoid spray or disposable products for cleaning, air-freshening, and cooking.

Water Use

• ____Do not let water run while doing tasks. 
  
• ____Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
• ____Repair faucet leaks and toilet runs immediately.
• ____Take a short shower rather than a bath, and shower less often.
• ____Wash dishes and laundry on full load.

Food

• ____Buy fair-trade products.
• ____Buy organic products.
• ____Buy local produce and products.
• ____Buy only what you will consume, and then use all you buy.
• ____Put on your plate only what you will eat, and then eat all on your plate.
• ____Eat fewer (or no) meat meals each week.  Have a "hunger" meal each week.

Paper Use

• ____Use recycled, post-consumer paper products for kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning.
  
• ____Avoid paper towels; use cloth napkins and handkerchiefs.
• ____Use electronic media rather than paper.
• ____Use recycled, post-consumer, acid-free note/office paper or paper from tree farm.
• ____Use the paper completely on both sides.  Avoid bright-colored paper.

Reduce/ Recycle/ Reuse

• ____Avoid use of paper, plastic, and Styrofoam in plates, cups, and utensils.
• ____Recycle glass, tin, plastic, newsprint, mixed paper, cardboard, etc.
• ____Recycle batteries, printer cartridges, cell phones, plastic bags.
• ____Safely dispose of computers, printers, paint, and other toxic products.
• ____Do not put grease or strong chemicals down drains.
  
• ____Buy products with less packaging.
• ____Compost food scraps and lawn clippings.
• ____Use canvas bags for shopping or reuse paper/plastic when shopping.
• ____When eating out, take your own plastic container for leftovers.
• ____ Check out this video for recycling instructions in the twin cities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82QsQfJ8Nw8 .

Yard, Garden and Farm

• ____Cultivate a green lawn and garden.  Avoid herbicides and pesticides.
• ____Avoid gas-powered implements.  Consider battery alternatives.  Use hand mower, rakes, and brooms.
• ____Grow your own vegetables.  Share with neighbors and food pantries.
• ____Plant native grass, trees, and shrubs.
• ____ For those who live and work a farm consider regenerative agriculture.  Check out this link for an explanation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuRpEA1sFow .

3. TRAVEL

• ____Purchase high mileage car.  Consider electric vehicles now available.  Maintain engine/tire pressure. Do not idle if on gas.
• ____If flying is absolutely necessary buy carbon offsets.
• ____Where feasible walk, bicycle, carpool or use public transit.

4.  WORK

• ____Green the work space and work practices: office, shop, factory, classroom, farm.
• ____Advocate with employers to green your company, agency, or institution.
• ____Promote greening among fellow workers and clients/customers/students.

5.  NATURE

• ____Enjoy as kin the plants and pets in your living space.
• ____Take ten minutes a day to enjoy/love nature.  Take a retreat with nature.
• ____Use devotional materials that enhance your love of nature and your care for it.

6.  PUBLIC COMMITMENTS

• ____Advocate for environmentally friendly legislation and policies.
• ____Restore a local habitat; protest a local environmental violation.
• ____Contribute to social justice organizations and environmental organizations.
• ____Invest in socially responsible stocks and bonds that foster eco-justice.
• 
  

SO! What Is Your CARBON FOOTPRINT

Your Carbon Footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by your actions.  The average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is 16 tons which is one of the highest rates in the world.  Globally, the average runs about 4 tons per person.  We have to avoid seeing our global temperature rise 2 degrees C.  To avoid that the average global carbon footprint per year per person needs to drop under 2 tons by 2050.  To accomplish this goal we need to make changes to our daily activities.  Check out the following links for determining your individual CARBON FOOTPRINT.  As you can see there are a variety of calculators that can be used.  Each of them consider most of the factors that go into determining the calculation.  Some are more current than others (as an example they consider renewable energy and or they consider electric vehicles in their calculation).  Some are easier than others to follow.  The ICCSM website finds the Ecological Footprint as being the easiest, most detailed, current and informative.  This particular calculator ranks your answers to the questions by a number of ways.  They include Personal Earth Overshoot Day, How many Earths that are needed if everyone was like you, Carbon Footprint (% of your total ecological footprint), Ecological footprint (global hectares or gha) and finally Carbon FootPrint in CO2 emissions in tonnes (metric ton) per year.  Though each calculation is interesting to simplify the effort we recommend focusing on Carbon CO2 emissions in tonnes per year.

We would like to add a little fun in the process of determining your Carbon Footprint.  We are Minnesotan's and why not add a ranked comparison to categories that relate to Minnesota or the north land.  The following ranking is not based on any scientific calculation.  It does compare to the global and US averages referenced above.  If available have your children or grandchildren help you in completing the calculation.  It will help them and you see what changes we all should make in our lives to protect their future. 

MINNESOTA CARBON FOOT PRINT SCALE

1. Showy Lady Slipper Footprint (Carbon neutral going forward level)       2 metric tons
2. Minnesota Pocket Gopher Footprint (digging deep to limit risk level)      3 metric tons
3. White Tail Deer Footprint (chronic wasting disease risk level)                  6 metric tons
4. Polar Bear Footprint (endangered species risk level)                                10 metric tons
5. Mythical Big-Footprint (probable extinction level)                                   16 metric tons
6. Mastodon Footprint (guaranteed extinction level)                                    25 metric tons

1.   So are you a Showy Lady Slipper???? A reminder science makes it clear that we humans are adding more carbon dioxide and methane emissions through our daily actions to the environment that what it can correct for.  Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint to the lowest possible.

* Carbon calculator through Ecological Footprint

https://www.footprintcalculator.org/

* Carbon calculator through Conservation.org  

https://www.conservation.org/carbon-footprint-calculator#/

* Carbon calculator through CarbonFootprint.com.
https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

* Carbon footprint calculator through the EPA.
https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/

Offsetting your carbon through Offsets provided by Cooleffect.org.
https://www.cooleffect.org/

RESOURCES

DO YOU WANT TO GO SOLAR?

We Minnesotans are practical, and know a good idea when we see it.  Solar energy is an opportunity for us to reduce our energy bills and reduce our carbon emissions.  Contact Virginia Rutter, Program Director and join SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS Apple Valley Solar Co-op.  Check them out at their website at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/AppleValley and see how you can add solar to your home.