Carbon Footprinting

Brad Chase

bchase@cmnh.orgApril 14, 2009

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Outline

• About GCBL & Climate Change Project

• What is a carbon footprint?

• Why is it important?

• Overview of Northeast Ohio’s carbon footprint

• Calculating your carbon footprint

• Action. What you can do.

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What is a Carbon Footprint?

• Measure of the impact that you have on the atmosphere and climate system in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) your actions produce.

• Called a carbon footprint because GHGs are commonly reported in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).

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What is a Carbon Footprint?

• Emissions Inventory– Direct emissions from activities (gasoline, electricity, natural gas

consumed)

• Carbon Footprint– Includes direct and indirect emissions (all of your activities)

• Environmental / Ecological Footprint– Includes impacts of activities on other environmental factors

(wildlife, water use, water quality, waste, etc.)

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Comprehensive look entire product process, cradle-to-grave.

Attempts to avoid unintended consequences.

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Why is it important?

• CO2 emissions growing rapidly.

• Scientific consensus that rising levels of CO2 cause warming of planet, resulting in sea level rise and changing climate conditions, affecting:

– Food supplies

– Infectious diseases

– Human habitats

• Potential for perceived localized benefits (e.g., warmer winters) outweighed by loss of productive crop land to drought and rising sea levels.

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Why is it important?

Additional benefits of CO2 reductions are improved:

� Quality of life

� Air quality

� Human health

� Energy efficiency (and $ saved)

� Economic development

� Energy security

“The Economist says that this year alone, the oil-importing nations will transfer $2 trillion dollars to the oil exporting nations. That’s money that won’t go to improve our infrastructure, won’t go to protect our environment, and won’t go to educating our youth.” Rick Cole, in June 2008 “The Planning Report” interview.

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Northeast Ohio Footprint

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Developed Land in Cuyahoga County (1948)

Population:

1.4 million and Rising

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Developed Land in Cuyahoga County (2002)

Population:

1.4 million and Declining

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Trend: Vehicle Miles Traveled and Vehicle Registrations Increasing

U.S. Population and Vehicle Miles Traveled, 1982-2006

Source: Bailey, et.al, “The Broader Connection between Public Transportation, Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction,”February 2008, www.apta.com/research/info/online/documents/land_use.pdf

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PerspectiveThe U.S. emits as much CO2 as Brazil, U.K., India, Russia, Canada, and South Korea combined – and 20% of the world’s total CO2 emissions.

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Per capita CO2 emissions (2003, tons - excludes land use change)

Qatar –

46.1 tons per person

Texas –32.5

United Arab Em

irates –25.0

Ohio –

24.1

Australia –17.2

California –11.1

Japan –10.0

United Kingdom

–9.2

European Union –

8.8China –

3.4

United States –

19.9

Brazil –1.8

India –1.1

American H

omeless 8.5 *

Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT) Version 5.0. (Washington DC: World Resources Institute, 2008)*MIT Tech Talk. Volume 52, Number 23, Wednesday April 16, 2008.

Perspective

What is your footprint?

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Calculating your carbon footprint

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Gasoline

Air travel

Gasoline

Automanufacturing

Auto services

public trans.

airlinespublic trans.

Electricity

Naturalgas

Other fuels

Construction

Financing

water & sewageelectricitynatural gasother fuels

Meat

Eating out

Fruit & veg.

Snack food

cereals

DairyAlcohol & tobacco

Clothing

Household equip.

entertainment.

cleaning supplies.furniture.

healthcaregiving

education

Transportation Housing Food Goods Services

Climate Footprint of the typical US Household (50 tCO2e)

Indirect

Direct44%

56%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Total

http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu

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Transportation Housing Food Goods Services

Globally, we need to reach:

2 tons CO2/yr

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Action. What you can do.• 1. Calculate your Carbon Footprint

Find out how to calculate your carbon footprint. Understanding your carbon emissions is the first step to taking action to reduce your carbon footprint.

• 2. Change a Light Bulb (or two)Electricity consumption is one of the largest components of a household's carbon footprint. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last 10 times as long.

• 3. Drive LessIn the United States, a personal motor vehicle is the largest contributor to a typical household's carbon footprint. Combining trips, carpooling, using public transportation, walking and biking all help reduce your carbon footprint. Keep up with scheduled maintenance and properly inflate tires to make your existing vehicle as efficient as possible when you do drive. The next time you replace your vehicle, consider purchasing the most fuel-efficient model that meets your needs.

• 4. Reduce, Reuse, RecycleRecycling materials requires less energy and fewer raw materials than creating a new product from scratch. Take reusable cloth bags to the store, don't accept paper and plastic bags when you really don't need them, and choose products that don't have excessive packaging.

• 5. Use Less WaterPumping and heating water require large amounts of energy. Take shorter showers, install a low-flow shower head, turn the water off while you shave or brush your teeth, and wash clothes in cold water.

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Action. What you can do.

• 6. Plant a TreeDeforestation accounts for up to 20 percent of the carbon dioxide released each year worldwide. Growing trees sequester carbon, and trees also help cool cities and reduce power consumption for air conditioning.

• 7. Eat Lower on the Food ChainAdopt a diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables and minimizes meat, seafood and processed foods. Meat is a particular energy hog. Producing one pound of beef generates 36 pounds of carbon dioxide.

• 8. Buy Efficient AppliancesReplacing older appliances with Energy Star appliances can significantly reduce your electricity bill and your carbon footprint. Start with the refrigerator, which uses the most electricity in an average home.

• 9. Adjust your ThermostatSet your thermostat two degrees higher in the summer and two degrees lower in winter to save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Change your furnace filter regularly and seal gaps around windows and doors to allow your heating and cooling systems to operate more efficiently. Note: These are estimates. Individual savings will vary based on many factors.

• 10. Spread the WordTell a friend about what you are doing to make a difference.

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Average Ohioan in 2003

24.1 tons

30% per capita

reduction by 2030

80%

reduction

by 2050

Roundtrip to

Hong Kong

Roundtrip to

Los Angeles

15,000 miles in a

Hummer

15,000 miles

in a Civic

15,000 miles

in a Prius

Roundtrip to

London

Carbon “budget”

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Action. What you can do.

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Action. What you can do.

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www.gcbl.org

www.clevelandcarbonfund.org