The Many Facets of Reducing
The path to reducing our carbon footprint encompasses many things. One of the most important aspects to reduction is reducing our carbon emissions,
therefore reducing our carbon footprint. Reducing our emissions permeates every facet of our lives and arguably, is the single most important thing we must do.
Our journey towards living lighter inevitably will include the process of simplifing our lives and returning to practices that a lot of Americans have forgotten about, growing and storing more of our own food is just one example. This may include some sacrifice, adaptation and change. Reductions include not only the physical things we must do as a society, but also the mental. The challenges we face in the days and years to come could not be clearer. Our mindset and attitude towards the challenges must be one of reduction and simplicity.
As I have gone down the path to reducing my own footprint, I started with the easy things. Keeping in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Lasting change takes time however, I find that I still have a lot to do. The following ideas and thoughts come from what I have done or what I hope to accomplish in the coming year.
Clutter
Arguably, the most important area to target for reductions. Sound strange? Mental preparation for reducing strategies is as important as the actual physical reductions themselves. If your life is full of stuff and clutter, reaching some of your goals for reducing your carbon emissions may seem like a struggle. Once you are on your way to reducing, the need to simplify will permeate your other reduction goals.
One drawer, one closet, one room at a time. 
Create a list of the 100 most important things that you truely need in your life. Examine all that is left behind and apply the “wants vs. needs” philosophy. If you haven’t used, worn or touched something in one year, you probably never will. Simplify your life by repurposing, donating, or selling these items.
We tend to be a society that places too much emphasis on possessions. We have also become a “throw-away” society as we toss aside our gadgets for the latest and greatest. Reducing wasteful purchases is another way to reduce your carbon emissions and footprint.
Waste
Good progress has been made by examining the trash and making reductions in weekly garbage and recycling along with starting a worm composting bin. Composting greatly reduces the amount of food waste that is either thown in the trash
or put down the garbage disposal. The composted material will be used in earnest next year as I expand my garden.
Reducing waste also means reducing what is brought into the home, therefore saving money and reducing clutter. Reducing waste involves thinking about purchases. How disposable are the items that I purchase? Do longer lasting alternatives exist? Can some things be bought in bulk? Can some things be shared with a neighbor or friend?
Energy
*Replacing 10 lightbulbs with CFLs will reduce your carbon footprint by 1000 lbs/yr*
*Weatherizing the home will reduce your carbon footprint by 1700 lbs/yr*
*Lowering the thermostat 2 degrees in winter/raising 2 degrees in summer will reducs your carbon footprint by 1050 lbs/yr*
A room-by-room inventory has been done and all incandescent light bulbs replaced with CFLs. I have weather-proofed my home, replaced windows and doors, and turned down the thermostat in winter, up in summer. These simple steps have paid off in a large way as I have literally saved hundreds of dollars in the last couple of years on my utility bills as electric and natural gas usage has been greatly reduced.
Food
*Supporting local and/or organic and buying in bulk wherever possible reduces food miles and saves carbon emissions*
Great plans are in the works for expanding the garden. Two-hundred square feet is not enough to grow, store, and preserve the amount of food that is needed over the winter.
(Basic veggies that are used frequently in cooking make the best candidates if this is new for your family.) The edition of 2 smaller beds will allow more room for growing the things that store or preserve well over the winter months: onions, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, beans, rhubarb, peas, and others.
Examine the packaged foods that are brought into the home. With a little planning, most likely you will find healthier alternatives from local/organic foods. A lot of energy goes into producing all of the plastic wrappers, trays, and covers that surround our food. Take some time to discover healthy alternatives…..home cooking!
Mobility
*Reduce driving by 10% and reduce your carbon footprint by 1018 lbs/yr reduce by 25% and save 2546 lbs/yr*
*Keep your car’s tires inflated properly and the air filter clean reduces your carbon footprint by 1050 lbs/yr*
Taking advantage of the city bus system has resulted in reductions in gasoline expenses. For trips to the grocery, walking
is a nice alternative because you will only buy what you are willing to carry home. Planning for shopping trips will result in the purchase of what is really needed, hopefully eliminating impulse food purchases (usually unhealthy).
Think of errands that can be done by walking or biking to the location. If something is a distance away, is there a closer alternative?
Combining shopping trips is another way to reduce your driving. Whether you combine your many trips into one or invite a neighbor to go with, you will be reducing your footprint.