Climate Change Changes Everything How we can learn to live well and lightly

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By Daniel Greenberg, Living Routes

Study abroad exposes students to the world. It also exposes the world to the environmental impacts of international travel. For example, a roundtrip flight from Boston to London produces more than a ton of carbon dioxide—per person! Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the Greenhouse Effect, which is warming the Earth’s climate and is possibly the greatest environmental threat of the 21st century. 

The evidence is clear that we are entering a period of  rapid climate destabilization (“global warming” just sounds too nice) that will almost certainly lead to more frequent and intense hurricanes, crop failures, droughts, and massive economic and social disruptions.

So, what’s to be done? Well, to put it simply, we need to radically transform how we act and think in the world. And by “we,” I mean governments, institutions and, perhaps most importantly, individuals.

The United States accounts for 23 percent of global emissions but has only 4.5 percent of the world’s population. The average American emits as many greenhouse gases as two European or Japanese people, six Chinese people, or 16 Indian people. Committing to international regulatory efforts like the Kyoto Protocol and developing a national climate program would help reduce our global impact and re-orient industries by establishing policies that favor solar, wind, and micro-hydro power; fossil fuel taxes (which would certainly impact airfare); and community-based planning for lower-carbon lifestyles. 

But government action is only a start. The five to 10 percent carbon reductions that the Kyoto Protocol requires by 2012, even if they are met, are nowhere near the 60 to 80 percent reductions that science suggests is needed within 20 to 30 years to prevent the worst-case climate scenarios. We also need institutional change in every sector. And it is starting to happen. Addressing climate change is becoming a priority among institutions as diverse as the World Bank, World Cup Soccer, Mazda, and the Dave Matthews Band.

However, governmental and institutional change will be weak and short-lived without a critical mass of understanding and commitment within the global citizenry. We each need to learn how we can reduce our personal “carbon footprint” while creating and maintaining high quality lifestyles. The question before each and every one of us is, “How can we live well and lightly?”

On an individual level, we can each make a difference in our carbon footprint by engaging in a three-step process of (1) measuring our emissions, (2) reducing these emissions where possible, and (3) offsetting any remaining emissions.

MEASURE

Decisions we make every day, from what we eat and how we get around to what we do with a water bottle after we’re done with it, all affect our carbon footprint. The first step is to better understand how our actions really impact the environment. Online calculators make it easy for you to determine your greenhouse gas contribution based on your choices about transportation, energy, and waste (see Calculating Your Carbon Useage).

REDUCE

Once we have measured our emissions, the next step is to reduce them wherever possible. This is the most important step and it really challenges us to “be the change we wish to see in the world,” as Gandhi said. These changes can be large or small. Use less hot water. Become a vegetarian or vegan. Walk or bike instead of driving somewhere. It all adds up. 

OFFSET

While our emphasis should always be on reducing emissions, we’ll never be able to reduce them entirely. We can compensate for these remaining emissions, however, and become what is referred to as “carbon-neutral” by supporting projects that fall into these four general categories: (1) generating renewable energy, (2) increasing efficiency, (3) capturing greenhouse gases from industrial processes, and (4) biosequestration (e.g. planting trees). Since our atmosphere knows no national boundaries, reducing emissions anywhere on the planet will provide the same climate benefit to all.

Typically individuals support such projects by purchasing what are called “carbon offsets” from a growing number of companies such as Native Energy or Climate Trust. Together, these organizations make up a quickly growing “voluntary carbon market” and offer ways for individuals and small businesses to compensate for their emissions, which are not adequately addressed by international climate policies such as the Kyoto Protocol. Last year, 23.7 million tons of CO2 (totaling $91 million) were transacted in the voluntary carbon market. These numbers are double what they were in 2005, and they are expected to double again in 2007.

Carbon offsets have been a controversial topic among climate change activists. Some say they are simply selling us a clean conscience while delaying meaningful action. Others complain there are too few standards in the field and that some projects would have happened anyway. And still others argue against planting trees as they are not permanent, only have a net cooling effect at tropical latitudes, and do not directly address our dependence on fossil fuels.

There is some truth to these criticisms. There may be some people offsetting impacts they could be reducing, but I doubt many are saying, “Great!  Now I can own a Hummer and be carbon neutral!” The voluntary carbon market has been a bit like the Wild West, but standards are improving. It is very important that projects are “additional.” Supporting projects that are “business-as-usual” is not reducing anything. Planting trees in order to capture carbon has some complications (see Planting Trees ), but it also has many ecological, social, and educational benefits.

So, no, carbon offsets will not save us. But for that matter, neither will organic food, solar energy, or hybrid cars. I mean, let’s get real. The average American emits about 20 tons of carbon dioxide each year. The current best estimates for a sustainable level of emissions per human—our “fair carbon-share”—is around one-half to one ton of CO2 per year.

Why offset at all then? First, it is channels a lot of money toward renewable energy projects, which is creating a viable market and reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. Second, it is resulting in a net transfer of wealth from the rich to the poor, because most offsetting projects are in developing countries. And finally, it is forcing people to think more deeply about their ecological impacts and to factor in the cost of their carbon footprint when doing business, which should be good preparation if voluntary markets ever become mandatory.

The time will hopefully come when offsetting won’t be needed because we will be living within our fair carbon-share and market prices will fully reflect the true cost of our environmental impacts. Until then, measuring, reducing and offsetting our greenhouse gas emissions are important steps on the path toward a more sustainable future.

Daniel Greenberg, Ph.D., Executive Director and Founder of Living Routes, has directed community-based educational programs for over 12 years. He has also developed curricula on sustainable community development, deep ecology, ecological auditing, and systems thinking. Contact him at daniel@LivingRoutes.org.