A few weeks back, Oak Park resident Karl Lauger wrote a letter asking for “five lifestyle changes that would have the greatest positive environmental impact.” Based on the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, anything that we can do to slow the effect of global warming should be our focus. The following are proven to be the most currently viable solutions for individuals to limit CO2 emissions according to Stephen Pacala (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and Robert Socolow (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University):
1) Drive a car that averages 30+ MPG. There are currently over 20 models available each year that qualify.
2) Drive only 5,000 miles per year. Walk, ride a bike, car pool or take public transportation.
3) Substitute wind power for your home electricity use. Illinois is fortunate to have its very own wind farm. Visit www.newwindenergy.com to learn how to contribute to its development.
4) Substitute biofuels (biodiesel & ethanol) for fossil fuels.
5) Plant a tree.
These are five easy steps that can be taken today to reduce our carbon footprint. While one step taken individually won’t save us, the combination of them all might. Probably the worst environmental decision we make every day is the decision to start our fossil fuel-burning cars.
By the way, Mr. Lauger also questioned another reader’s criticism of leafblowers and wondered how their environmental threat compared with gas-burning fireplaces. The leafblower is the worst by far. Natural gas is a fairly clean-burning fuel, whereas gasoline, especially in a leaf (or snow) blower, which has no emission control devices, is not.
Kip Robbins