In an article in the
Wall Street Journal (Via
City Fix), it seems as if Americans control their Carbon Destiny.
U.S. consumers have direct or indirect control over 65% of the country's greenhouse-gas emissions, according to new statistics tallied by consultant McKinsey & Co. The figure for consumers in the rest of the world is just 43%. Americans, largely because of how they drive and how they build and use their homes and offices, lead some of the most energy-intensive lives in the world.
It's not just how they drive and build, it's where. The placement is the greatest determinant. Driving cars a long distance to work and the store versus walking can make a difference.
Passenger cars account for 17% of U.S. emissions -- something consumers could affect by driving more-efficient cars or by driving less. Residential buildings and appliances contribute another 17% of emissions, underscoring the impact consumers could have if they lived in smaller buildings, or added more insulation, or bought a more energy-efficient model next time they replaced their washing machine.
1 comment:
Individuals do make a difference. I, for instance, take the bus to work everyday and use my bike to take me almost everywhere else: grocery store, recycling, the mall. In fact, I would take my bike anywhere around 5 miles that I don't have to wear a suit.
Not anymore.
I was rear-ended at about 40 miles an hour on my bike by a merging driver that did not take the time to look in front of him in the traffic lane, only looking behind behind. As a result, I don't believe I will ever be able to muster the nerve to get on that bike away from a bike path, which are non-existent within 5 miles of my apartment.
The impact of that driver's inattentiveness will be manifest out of the tailpipe of my car for years to come.
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