One strategy to combat climate change is to convince other people to reduce their carbon footprints. You are thinking, no doubt, that this is unrealistic. But what if I told you that there is a beautifully simple way that we could motivate everyone in the U.S. to care about their carbon footprint? Much of theContinue reading “Idea #12: Support a carbon tax”
Author Archives: Nathan Hatch
Idea #11: Reducetarianism
Eating from sustainable food sources doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. It seems to me that people often think of vegetarianism in black and white. You either eat meat or you don’t. Same for veganism: you either eat animal products or you don’t. Hank Green of the Vlogbrothers often talks about “going veg” asContinue reading “Idea #11: Reducetarianism”
Idea #10: Avoid airplanes
I like to travel. This is going to be a long post, because the carbon footprint of airplanes is a complicated subject. Compared to cars, airplanes are actually surprisingly fuel-efficient. Depending on the plane capacity and distance traveled, each individual passenger moves about 100 miles per gallon of fuel. That’s about the same as aContinue reading “Idea #10: Avoid airplanes”
Idea #9: Compost
I reckon most people have heard of composting. Let’s review why it’s a good idea, as well as some tips and tricks for doing it properly. Composting is “controlled decomposition.” Food and yard waste decompose whether they’re in a landfill or a compost pile. However, there are several advantages to composting: The products of decompositionContinue reading “Idea #9: Compost”
Idea #8: Donate!
Most people against climate change don’t have a lot of money. This is in contrast to the people who don’t care about climate change, who are generally rich old men[citation needed] with a vested interest in the fossil fuels industry. This is an example of what economists call special interest politics. If a policy hasContinue reading “Idea #8: Donate!”
Idea #7: Don’t eat food from cows
Back in 2017, this article from The Atlantic made quite an impression on me: If Everyone Ate Beans Instead of Beef. The upshot is that beef cultivation is so energy-inefficient that this single, small dietary change would reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by a tenth. Ten percent! Even if our transportation habits don’t change atContinue reading “Idea #7: Don’t eat food from cows”
Idea #6: Air-dry your clothes and dishes
Thanks to Meng Gao (https://www.adventuremeng.com/) for suggesting this blog topic! Now that humanity has gone to the trouble of inventing washing machines and dishwashers, it can feel like we’re obligated to use them to the fullest-featured extent possible. But when you think about it, the drying cycle is completely superfluous. Let’s talk about laundry first.Continue reading “Idea #6: Air-dry your clothes and dishes”
Idea #5: Get solar power from your utility company
For those of us who rent or who don’t have ten thousand dollars lying around, installing solar panels at home may not be realistic. However, you may be surprised to learn that many electric utility companies offer solar power options. One way to do this is to sign up with a renewable energy supplier suchContinue reading “Idea #5: Get solar power from your utility company”
Idea #4: Bring boxes to restaurants
Restaurants tend to hilariously overestimate the size of a human stomach. All the arguments for bringing reusable bags to the grocery store apply to restaurants as well. When you inevitably can’t (or shouldn’t) finish your food, put it in the box you brought with you. As a bonus, you won’t have to wait to catchContinue reading “Idea #4: Bring boxes to restaurants”
Idea #3: Bicycling
The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Iris Murdoch I was a frequent bike commuter in Chicago and Atlanta, and I’m excited to try biking in Seattle. Murdoch is right: bikes are the best way to get around urban areas. First, they’re fast. In Chicago, I routinely overtook buses on my wayContinue reading “Idea #3: Bicycling”
Energy Reducetarian 