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The primary cause of climate change is carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels which we use to power our cars and homes and to produce the goods we consume. The typical American household generates 55,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Taken collectively, US households directly produce about 8% of the planet’s carbon dioxide emissions, and through our purchases we are indirectly responsible for another 17%. By contrast, the typical German household contributes 27,000 pounds and the average Swedish household’s contribution is only 15,000 pounds. Clearly, we have much room for improvement!
If the bad news is that individual Americans are a major part of the problem, the good news is that we can also be a major part of the solution. By making specific changes to actions we already take every day, we can significantly reduce our CO2 emissions. If you’re among those who understand the seriousness of our plight, you probably feel called to do something about it. And like a lot of us, you’re now asking: Where do I begin? Which are the important actions to take? How do I take them? And if I do take them, will it really make a difference given the magnitude of the problem?
The Alaska Center for the Environment's Low Carbon Diet will answer those questions. It will show you how, in just a single month, you can make enough simple adjustments to your lifestyle to reduce your annual CO2 output by at least 5,000 pounds. And how, if you’re interested, you can even reduce your CO2 footprint to zero. If we reduce our CO2 footprint, we can have a disproportionate influence in turning the tide on climate change. When we, the consumers and voters, become part of the climate change solution, businesses and politicians will not be far behind. As the saying goes, when the people lead, the leaders will follow. Sign up here to take the Low Carbon Diet!
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