Science

Ways of Reducing at-Burning Man GHG Emissions

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Ways of Reducing non-Burning Man GHG Emissions

To offset their Burning Man GHG emissions, Coolingman participants can take direct actions (below) to reduce GHG in other areas of their life. However, to truly generate an offset credit, it must be ‘additional‘ i.e. it is an action that would not otherwise have occurred.

Please be sure to report offsets from these actions so Coolingman can track and report total climate benefits. Report Offsets From Direct Actions.

NOTE: For reference, the average US household emits ~80 tons (160K lbs) of GHG each year. (Source: RMI)

Direct Actions

Effect on GHG (CO2eq)

Estimated GHG Offset (CO2eq)

Assumptions
Plant a Tree

How? – Listing of Tree Planting Organizations

1 ton absorbed per tree
(over 50-100 years)Source 		0.2 ton per tree planted 10 years growth of tree w/ 50 year lifetime (discounted due to timing and permanence concerns)
Buy Renewable Electricity for Your Home

How? – Listing of Renewable Energy Retailers

 Avg. U.S. Home:
10 tons eliminated per year1.6 lbs eliminated per kWh purchasedSource 1,Source 2		 20 tons Average home, 100% renewable electricity, purchased for 2 years
Increase Home Energy Efficiency Electricity: 1.6 lbs eliminated per kWh saved

Gas: 0.1 lb eliminated per cu ft saved (117 lbs per million BTU)

Source

 Case by case –

Lighting and Appliances

Install a compact fluorescent light bulb

 150 lbs eliminated per year

Source

 0.4 tons Average use for 5 years

Replace 1973 refrigerator with Energy Star refrigerator

1.4 tons eliminated per year

Source

 7 tons Average use for 5 years

Heating and Cooling

Lower thermostat 2 degrees (F) in winter  and raise 2 degrees in summer

 1 ton eliminated per year

Source

 2 tons 2 years

Caulk and weather strip windows and doors

 1,100 lbs eliminated per year (upper estimate)

Source

 2.8 tons 10 years (50% discount due to high estimate)

Plant shade tress & paint house light (hot climate) or dark (cold climate) color

2.5 tons eliminated per year (upper estimate)

Source

5 tons 2 years (discount due to long time delay)

Insulate walls and ceilings

 140 to 2,100 lbs per year

Saves 20-30% of household heating energy

Source

 5.6 tons 10 years, mid-range estimate

Super-insulate walls and ceilings in cold climate

 Gas Heating: 5.5 tons eliminated per year
Oil Heating: 8.8 tons/year
Electric Heating: 23 tons/year Source		 55 tons 10 years, gas heat

Modernize windows (replace w/ argon-filled, double-paned)

 Gas Heating: 2.4 tons eliminated per year
Oil Heating: 3.9 tons/year
Electric Heating: 9.8 tons/yearSource 		24 tons 10 years, gas heat

Water Heating

Wash clothes in warm/cold (not hot) water

 Gas Water Heater:
150 lbs eliminated per year
Electric Water Heater:
500 lbs eliminated per yearSource 		0.4 tons 5 years, gas heater

Lower water heater 10 degrees (F)

 Gas Water Heater:440 lbs eliminated per year
Electric Water Heater: 600 lbs/yearSource		 0.4 tons 2 years, gas heater

Install low flow showerhead

 Gas Water Heater: 80 lbs eliminated per year
Electric Water Heater: 300 lbs/yearSource 		0.2 tons 5 years, gas heater

Wrap water heater in insulating jacket

 Gas Water Heater: 220 lbs eliminated per year
Electric Water Heater: 1,100 lbs/yearSource		 1.2 tons 10 years, gas heater

Buy a solar water heater

 2.5 tons eliminated per year

Source

 25 tons 10 years
Increase Transportation Efficiency

Drive more fuel efficient vehicle

Walk, bike, mass transit, or carpool

 

 ~20 lbs eliminated per gallon saved

~1 lb eliminated per mile not driven

Source

 Case by case –

Keep tires inflated

510 lbs eliminated per year

Increases fuel efficiency 3%

Source1,Source2

 0.3 tons 1 year

Fix car air conditioning leaks; ensure fluid recycled when replaced

 2.4 tons eliminated per 1 car’s fluid not released

Source

 None Not ‘additional’ because regulatory/legal requirement
Reduce Garbage

Avoid packaging

 

Recycle more

 0.6 ton eliminated per year per 10% reduction in household waste

1.2 ton eliminated per year per 50% of household waste recycled

Source

 Case by case –