Reducing your Footprint... Go Old Fashioned!

So I ran across a little book called "How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint" (Yarrow) while I was killing time in the mall this weekend- the well-designed cover caught my eye. I'm always on the lookout for low-hanging fruit that will help reduce my footprint: last week, I replaced two incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs in the kitchen, and I am constantly turning off the A/C that my roommate runs all day long! So as I picked up this book, I randomly thumbed to a page discussing lawn care- rake leaves instead of blowing them, use an old fashioned mower instead of a power mower, compost the organic waste...

Well, I don't really have a yard of my own, which means that I can't reduce my footprint by taking these particular suggestions. The good news, though, is that my footprint is already smaller because of that fact!

So as I'm looking to buy a home in the near future, I have two options, go yardless, or go old fashioned!

A Car Free Day... Brilliant!

My significant other is in Brussels on business this week and reported back that Sunday there were no cars to be seen downtown. This took her by surprise, but upon more research, hundreds of cities (mostly in Europe), including London and Paris observed the car-free day yesterday or today. Like many Americans, I am behind the curve but eager to learn about initiatives to help our population reduce our carbon emissions- this particular event strikes me as a brilliant way to help people (or force them, rather) to consider an alternative to their cars. Granted, there are lots of logistical issues to consider, and most people will go back to their normal routine the day after, but maybe they'll start to think a little greener than before.

A Carbon Free Iceland?

I went to a talk on the alternative energy progress in Iceland- the country has invested heavily in geothermal energy technologies, hydrogen, and according to the speaker, only has to import oil/coal to support 21% of their economy. This kind of progress is incredible, and has provided the Icelandic people one of the highest standards of living on the planet... The amount of carbon emissions from the type of renewable energies that Iceland uses are fractions of the emissions that coal and petroleum emit- I would venture to say there are many icelandic people who have achieved A Carbon Free Day for themselves. Congrats!

What is A Carbon Free Day?

What is it, exactly? I suppose carbon free will mean something different to everyone- and I want opinions from every perspective to help shape our definition of A Carbon Free Day- that's the reason for this blog!

If I ask others to weigh in, it's only fair that I begin: To me, A Carbon Free Day is a day when I make a concerted effort to reduce my carbon emissions, even with some mild disruptions to the lifestyle to which I am accustomed, and it's a day in which I choose to offset the emissions that I can't eliminate through carbon offsets. I look forward to sharing stories of the changes I've made with you, the successes and the failures alike. A Carbon Free Day - for me, for many - it's a work in progress...

What is A Carbon Free Day to you?