What's Your Impact?

Measuring your greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions is a critical first step in sustaining the environment for future generations. Unfortunately, you cannot manage what you cannot measure. While it seems like a daunting process, completing a GHG Inventory to benchmark your contribution to global climate change could make a world of difference. Although inventories vary in complexity, they center on three themes including the identification of emission sources, gathering data on those sources, and calculating GHG emissions also known as a footprint. Not sure where to start? The overview below outlines the levels you can achieve in completing a greenhouse gas inventory: 

Scope I: Under this parameter, direct greenhouse gas emissions will be identified. This is essentially the combustion of fossil fuels on your property.

Scope II:  At this level, indirect greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heating/cooling or steam will be analyzed.

Scope III:  Additional indirect emissions, such as electricity transmission and distribution losses, business travel and contracted waste disposal will provide a better look at your greenhouse gas outputs.

Feeling inspired? Take the lead to conduct a greenhouse gas inventory at your home or business. Additional details about the effects of greenhouse gases are summarized here: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/ghg/. With your benchmark complete, you can now set your own reduction goal and implement strategies to reduce your contribution to emission generating activities.

As always, we welcome your opinions and comments below!