For my New Year’s Resolution for 2007, I decided to take tangible steps to reduce my carbon footprint. I was already doing something by riding my bicycle more and driving less, but I wanted to go a step further. But, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money doing it.

First I audited my family’s energy purchases. We were buying gasoline, electricity, and natural gas. I determined that we were directly generating 81 pounds of CO2 a day! That’s far below the national average in the United States, but it is still a big number.

Next, I looked at the cost of strategies for reducing my carbon footprint. Sadly, some strategies were quite expensive, but other strategies were very cost-effective. I was ready to have my New Year’s resolution cost me at least a little money, but I wasn’t ready for the realization that my resolution might cost less!

By carefully evaluating my options, I chose a combination of increased energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels to reduce my family’s CO2 production by 20%, while also reducing our monthly expenses. The minor step I took reduced our expenses without reducing our quality of life. And this result was achieved for a family that already did a lot of walking, bicycling and generally had already previously done a lot to reduce its fossil fuel consumption.

Now, in collaboration with the UNC Institute for the Environment, I am inviting area residents to participate in project based on my personal experience. Here’s my proposal: If your family would like to sign up for the Mayor’s Carbon Challenge, send me an email at mark@markchilton.org – I will send you free tools for analyzing your household energy usage and CO2 output. Using the CO2 audit and in consultation with the Institute for the Environment, you can assess a variety of cost-effective changes that you can put to work to reduce your family’s carbon footprint.

Our goal will be to reduce participants’ CO2 production by 20% in an easy, cost-effective, convenient and fun way. Ready to give it a try? Emailing me is the first step.

In six months or so we will report back here to let readers know how this project is working. And all of the participants in the Mayor’s Carbon Challenge will be invited to meet with our state and federal elected officials to show them how great the opportunities are for protecting our climate, our planet and our pocketbooks.

Your information will be kept strictly confidential, so email me today at mark@markchilton.org to sign up. Make it your Earth Day Resolution!

This entry was written by Mark on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 and is filed under Community, Issues. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.