The funny thing about climate change (also known as global warming) is that it is so invisible to us, while so serious. Our daily lives here in the affluent U.S. don’t look different despite the icecaps melting, etc. But our lives should look different — we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. So Colleen and I are starting a Carbon Reduction Action Group (here is my first look at this).
This means we and whoever joins us will be counting our households’ monthly greenhouse gas emissions in three ways: our heating bills, electricity bills and transportation (personal use, not business use). The idea is healthy competition with ourselves to steadily reduce our emissions down to a sustainable level, especially given that government is not taking the lead.
To clarify, CRAG in the United Kingdom is a Carbon Rationing Action Group. I’ve noticed though that the term ‘rationing’ is seen differently in the UK than in the U.S., i.e. with less morbid fear. So I’m doing as some others have done by using the term ‘carbon reduction action group’ rather than ‘carbon rationing action group’. Got to respect your market.
If you find this idea daunting you’re not alone. Half my friends freaked at the idea of counting and reporting their emissions. But I know in my gut this is absolutely doable. More soon.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Ewan O'Leary // Apr 9, 2008 at 6:05 am
I am really looking forward to working with you and the Green Girls on the Portland Carbon Reduction Action Group.
2 Martha1955 // Apr 14, 2008 at 6:47 am
Greetings from the carbon-reducers at the Riot 4 Austerity! We’re doing what you’re doing! (We have seven categories, but basically we measure, we keep track, we make changes, we help each other out. Just like you guys.) We’re also called the 90% Reduction group.
We set our goal at 10% of the average American emissions in each category. Some of us get there, most of us have trouble in one category or another, which helps to pinpoint where we need infrastructure change.
To meet the founders and participants, visit us at http://www.riot4austerity.org/blog/
or look for us on Yahoo Groups.
Congratulations on the launch of your project and good luck.
3 I, A Tax Non-Begrudger « Diamond-Cut Life // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:39 pm
[...] of this post). Tomorrow I’ll report on my first meeting that I’m having tonight with my CRAG group (in which my household will pay self-imposed fines, like taxes, for using carbon over a certain [...]
4 Our Portland CRAG Launches! « Diamond-Cut Life // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:46 pm
[...] Our Portland CRAG Launches! Published April 16, 2008 carbon footprint , climate change , culture , environment , global warming , life , simplicity , sustainability Tags: carbon footprint, community, dinner, friendship, fun, sled dogs, wine Last night five friends of mine, new and old, got together at Colleen and Thad’s house in NE Portland. We had wine, a delicious potluck dinner and animated-to-hilarious planning of our Carbon Action Reduction Group. [...]
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