1. Utilize Solar Power – Solar power has become much less expensive and more efficient in recent years. To generate one kWh (Kilo-watt hour) of energy it costs between $0.08 and $0.10. According to Columbia University, solar power electricity saves between 267,526 to 303,513 pounds or 121-138 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, a number that is increasing each year. This number continues to go up and will make a big difference in the global climate crisis.
2. Buy an electric car – Electric cars are still somewhat scary to consumers because of horror stories of bad batteries, limited range, etc. We need to start adjusting our lifestyles to the limitations of electric vehicles when possible, so if you have two cars, have one electric and one hybrid. If you are using your solar power to power the cars your carbon footprint decreases dramatically. Car and Driver recommends these electric cars for model year 2023-24. There are high end models from BMW to more affordable offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
3. Plant and maintain Trees – What if we could invent a device that could such CO2 out of the atmosphere and change it to breathable Oxygen? Well, nature has already done that in the form of trees. Plant and maintain as many trees as possible. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, in one year a mature tree will absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide. Further, it is estimated by The Department of Energy that the average emissions for a gas powered car are around 11,435 pounds per person for a gasoline burning car and 4,815 pounds for an Electric Vehicle not charged by solar panels. It is critical that we get serious about offsetting this trend as we are fast approaching a “tipping point” in global carbon emissions that will make it much more difficult to fix the problem down the road.
What are your thoughts on this?