The Personal Carbon Footprint

Negotiations over carbon emissions resemble the end of a Quentin Tarantino film, when everyone has a gun pointed at everyone else and no one can make a move. Rich nations (like the U.S.) need to make the first cuts, but they won’t until developing nations (like China) do — and vice versa. Researchers from Princeton University suggest working on the individual level instead.  1) .................................................................................... . — in Indiana or India — who are responsible for most carbon emissions. A strategy focused on rich individuals instead of rich countries might just get us out of this. 2) ..................................................................................... The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). We all 3) ..................................................................................... in the changing climate. Here are a few ways to lighten your impact.

AT HOME

• Make sure your lighting is efficient. LED light bulbs generally use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent, and they last longer.

• Replace old appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, and clothes dryers, with smarter models.

• 4) ..................................................................................... The EPA estimates that recycling glass, aluminium, plastic, and paper could save 582 pounds of CO2 per year, equivalent to more than 600 miles of driving.

• 5) ..................................................................................... solar panels for your home or buying renewable energy credits.

ON THE ROAD

• 6) ..................................................................................... gas with an electric, hybrid, or super fuel-efficient car.

• Maximize fuel efficiency: Keep tires inflated, avoid speeding, and above all, avoid driving when you can walk, bike, or take public transit.

• Reduce your flight travel where you can, and remember that first- and business-class seats have a higher carbon footprint than economy ones.