Direct Actions
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Effect on GHG (CO2eq)
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Estimated GHG Offset (CO2eq)
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Assumptions
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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 |
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Lighting and Appliances
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Install a compact fluorescent light bulb
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150 lbs eliminated per year
Source |
0.4 tons |
Average use for 5 years |
Replace 1973 refrigerator with Energy Star refrigerator
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1.4 tons eliminated per year
Source |
7 tons |
Average use for 5 years |
Heating and Cooling
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Lower thermostat 2 degrees (F) in winter and raise 2 degrees in summer
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1 ton eliminated per year
Source |
2 tons |
2 years |
Caulk and weather strip windows and doors
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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
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2.5 tons eliminated per year (upper estimate)
Source |
5 tons |
2 years (discount due to long time delay) |
Insulate walls and ceilings
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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
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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)
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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
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Wash clothes in warm/cold (not hot) water
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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2.5 tons eliminated per year
Source |
25 tons |
10 years |
Increase Transportation Efficiency |
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Drive more fuel efficient vehicle
Walk, bike, mass transit, or carpool
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~20 lbs eliminated per gallon saved
~1 lb eliminated per mile not driven
Source |
Case by case |
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Keep tires inflated
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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
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2.4 tons eliminated per 1 car’s fluid not released
Source |
None |
Not ‘additional’ because regulatory/legal requirement |
Reduce Garbage |
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Avoid packaging
Recycle more
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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 |
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