Published on EGEE 401: Energy in a Changing World (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401)

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Discussion

Unit 2 Discussion Forum: "Biggest Loser!"

Use the EPA's Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator [1] to estimate your individual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (Use data from your Energy Lab Site). Be sure to work through all sections carefully (home energy, transportation, waste).

There are many other online emissions calculators and tools. Explore freely, and report back on favorites you find.

I like this one from the Nature Conservancy [2] because it also includes Food & Diet. Like many of you perhaps, I am a vegetarian and a member of a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organic co-op. The dietary piece of the emissions scenario is too often overlooked when we considered behaviors and choices that contribute to our individual emissions. (Here's a quick overview, with links to studies, from Time, How a Vegetarian Diet Could Help Save the Planet [3])

Activity

Make a list of five things you could do (or not do) that would reduce your annual CO2 emissions. There are no rules! Get your ideas from anywhere. (There are loads of interesting good sources on the Web.) The more creative, the better. Just try to come up with the easiest, cheapest ideas that have the biggest impact and that you are most likely to do.

For each one, roughly estimate the annual greenhouse gas reductions, cost...and likelihood that you'll do it! Estimate the total annual GHG reductions if you did all five things. To help estimate your emission reductions, use the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator [4]

In your posting, include:

1) your estimated Individual GHG Emissions

2) five ideas for reducing your emissions. For each, try to estimate cost, annual GHG emission reduction (in "tons of CO2 equivalent") and likelihood you'll do it. (Definitely, Probably, Probably Not, No Way). Include at least one idea that is not in the EPA Household Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Respond. Read the postings of others and respond to at least one.

Please define and explain any acronyms or abbreviations you use (GHG = greenhouse gas) and wherever possible include links to your references. Any questions, just let me know!

Post your work in the Discussion, "Biggest Loser!" You'll find it in CANVAS, in the Unit 2 Module. Please follow full instructions there.

Read the postings of others and respond to at least one. Follow up on any postings made to your comment.

Please see CANVAS calendar for due date of your FIRST posting and date when discussion ends (graded participation ends, all replies must be in).

Grading criteria

You will be graded on the quality of your participation. Be interesting and interested! Please see Syllabus for full Discussion grading criteria.


Source URL: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/content/p3_p8.html

Links
[1] http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
[2] http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm
[3] http://time.com/4266874/vegetarian-diet-climate-change/
[4] http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html