You Can Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The average American generates 19 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Carbon dioxide is the leading contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. If we want to have a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, then how we act now matters.

Here are some actions for you to consider to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

In Your Home

• Get a free home-energy audit.Learn More
• Use Heat Pumps for heating and cooling. These technologies include air-source heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps (aka geothermal), and heat pump water heaters. Learn More.
   What is a Heat Pump?
   Our Resources page contains more information on Heat Pumps.
• Insulate your home.
• Add solar panels to your house. 
   
• Change to LED light bulbs. LED lights use about 75% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs. Look for the Energy Star when purchasing LED bulbs. Learn More
• Reduce food waste.Learn More. Learn More. Learn More.
• Buy clean energy. If your provider does not buy clean energy, write to them to request they look into clean energy.
• Unplug electronic devices when not in use. These "Always On" devices can consume 33% of your total energy usage.
• When buying new appliances, look for the energy star labels.Calculate the energy cost of appliances
• Reduce the load on your air conditioner by closing blinds, shades and drapes.
• Clean or replace HVAC filters every three months.
• Wash clothes in cold or warm water, not hot water.
• Use programmable thermostats.

In Your Life

• Use a bike or e-bike instead of a car, when possible.
• Save gas. Car pool, and shop locally, when possible. For every gallon of gas a car burns (in which a gallon is 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol), 18.9 pounds of carbon dioxide are released into the air.
• Drive a hybrid or battery electric car. You can earn up to a $7,500 federal tax credit, and up to a $2,000 New York State tax rebate.
   EVs are Normal Now.
   All About EVs, Charging, and incentives.
   Find Charging Stations Near You.
   Electric Car Charging Guide.
   
• Avoid plastic packaging, and reduce your plastic use. Use reusable, non-plastic bags when shopping. Learn More
• Reduce the amount of garbage going into the trash stream. This reduces greenhouse gases generated by landfills. Learn More
• Plant trees. If you own a home, plant trees on your property. Trees can help offset the buildup of carbon dioxide in the air and reduce the greenhouse effect. An acre of trees absorbs enough carbon dioxide in a year to equal the amount produced when you drive a car 26,000 miles. Learn More

While these individual actions seem small, we as citizens are collectively responsible for our share of greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, many of these suggestions will save you money on electricity, gasoline, or heating fuel.

Calculate your household's estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions with the EPA's Household Carbon Footprint Calculator.

From Saugerties Climate Smart www.climatesmartsaugerties.org