Climate change is an overwhelming, daunting issue, and it can be difficult to know where to begin as an individual trying to mitigate some of your personal impacts on the heating planet. One outsized way to really make an impact is to change the way that you consume energy day-to-day in the buildings you operate in. These changes are often small, can be subsidized through tax incentives, and will not dramatically impact the way you go about your life, but can significantly decrease your carbon emissions and signal to regulators that you care about the energy transition: moving away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable sources of energy.
In the global fight against climate change, individual actions play a significant role. From reducing energy consumption in buildings to making sustainable transportation choices, there are numerous ways individuals can lower their carbon footprint. As we delve into this issue, it's essential to highlight the substantial impact buildings have on carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the operations of buildings account for a staggering 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of energy-related emissions.
In the United States, buildings are responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption, with the residential and commercial sectors accounting for about 29% of total energy consumption. Notable sources of carbon emissions in buildings include space heating, space cooling, water heating, and lighting. Cities across the United States have set ambitious goals to reduce emissions from large buildings, recognizing their pivotal role in combating climate change. In many large, densely populated, urban areas, carbon emissions from buildings can total as much as 50-70% of total carbon emissions that a city generates. For example, in New York City, about two-thirds of total carbon emissions come from buildings, about 34.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
So, what can individuals do to reduce their carbon emissions? Here are some actionable steps:
By adopting these individual actions, we can all contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. While the challenge of reducing carbon emissions may seem daunting, every small step counts towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving the planet for future generations. Let's empower ourselves to make a difference through conscious choices and collective action.
