Carbon footprint: What is it and what we can do about it?
By Jeff Naramor, America The Beautiful Landscape Design

Recently you have heard a lot about our carbon footprint.  Certainly most of us don’t really understand all the scientific implication of this term.

I want keep it sincerely simple as I write this blog, even though I’ve spent hours researching this topic, there are still many different opinions about the effect of greenhouse gases.  Therefore, I want to stick to the facts with the common denominator.
Our carbon footprint (and we all have one) is how we affect this earth’s eco systems, particularly in the amount of carbon dioxide we create in our atmosphere.  It is usually estimated (i.e. no one really knows the exact amount) in pounds of carbon dioxide per year.  

If you’re interested in getting an estimate of your annual carbon dioxide output, go to http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html. 

Carbon dioxide is the major pollution scientists are concerned about.  Whether it is responsible for global warming, depends on who you talk to.   Global warming is what  seems to be changing climates in local environments.  It may or may not be caused by green houses gases (i.e. CO2)
It is clear, according to scientific data, that CO2 levels have increased in the last 300 years.  This is considered bad by many as the weather changes have been blamed for many naturally occurring storms.  This is also considered good by a few, as plant growth has increased vigorously due to increased CO2 levels.
If you consider your carbon footprint needing to be reduced, here are a few practical ways most people can reduce their CO2 output.

1. Plant and cultivate a landscape garden:  plants take in CO2 and give out Oxygen.  It’s true that when plants die, they then give off CO2, but, if composting and recycling are utilized properly, decaying plants are still a positive effect on our ecology.

2. I would not recommend that you buy in to the philosophy that some non-profit organizations present on their web sites.  They compel you to compensate for your carbon footprint by making contributions to third world tree planting programs.  This is not reliable information.  Put  trees and plants in your own back yard or your community instead. 

3. Reduce the amount of fossil fuel you use by driving less, lowering the thermostat, and buying locally available food and products.  They are discovering that even some of the hybrid cars take more fossil fuel to manufacture and deliver, which adds to your carbon footprint as soon as you purchase it.  This doesn’t even include the problem in our environment of the disposal of large batteries and manufacturing of their replacement parts.  As I’m sure you’re aware, life has its cycles’ just as new product development has its’ cycles.  Sometimes an improved product with a costly and polluting production hasn’t really helped the overall ecology of our planet. Do the research and become an informed consumer.

4. Recycle as much as possible, whether its paper, cans, plastic, office supplies, food waste, etc.  The more we recycle and reuse the less pollution required to manufacture and operate factories.

5. Buy Green or recycled products whenever practical.  In the last ten years or so, I’ve noticed recycled products are beginning to compete with newly manufactured products, making it easier for many people to buy recycled products.  As we manufacture and purchase more green products, I believe they will eventually come down in price because of the law of supply and demand.
Awareness of your carbon footprint simply means that you begin to take responsibility for your contribution to this world, good or bad.  This should motivate each one of us to take as much voluntary action as possible to reduce our carbon footprint, before legislation finds it necessary to write laws that affect the freedoms we now enjoy in the United States.

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