INDEPENDENT ACTION
Within 5 minutes, calculate an accurate estimation of your personal carbon impact on the planet to help you make more informed decisions on how to help Oshawa and Durham Region green! Receive important statistics on your impact on Canada's climate. Being aware of your impact allows you as a consumer to make informed decisions on how to limit it.
SCROLL DOWN TO FIND YOUR FOOTPRINT
Making up 14% of America's output, Food is often one of the most glanced over sources of carbon emissions.
select the option that most describes your diet
processed foods are typically anything that isnt fresh. this includes: chips, cereal, some cheese and milk, some meat products, fast food, canned products, and a TON more
Transportation accounts for approx. 25% of Canada's Greenhouse Gas emissions!
relative estimations will do!
carpool meaning at least 1 other person in the car with you
an average 2017 car is around 10 litres / 100km
public transit: trains, subways, busses, streetcars, etc.
try to keep this as accurate as possible, airplane travel is a large source of carbon emissions
While energy emissions are decreasing in Canada, the amount of energy Canada is producing is increasing vastly.
the average in ontario is around 800kWh per month, however, if you can, look at past energy bills for most accurate results (especially look at past energy bills if you have electric heating!!!)
ontario's is approximately 35%
Goods and services purchases result in the highest indirect GHG emissions from households!
if more then 10 people live in your house, leave it at 10 people on the bar
most homes in ontario are heated by natural gas
examples are youtube, netflix, disney+, etc., be honest!
not-so-fun fact: canada is in the top 10 for countries with the highest trash per year per capita
select the option that most describes your water usage
new = from a retail store, never worn before
if none of these match your living space, choose the one that matches closest in size (calculations based off of oshawa, may be slightly inaccurate)
Carbon footprint in kg (by category)
Well, what can I do to lower my Carbon Footprint?
Canada (as of 2018) has the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita of any country in the Americas, surpassing even the USA. We have the power to help change that statistic.
Adjusting one’s diet is one of the easiest ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint, largely in part to the CO2 created by animal farming, as well as food waste.
FUN FACT:
Can you challenge yourself to purchase and eat a more sustainable diet?
Click here for a link to a TED talk on veganism.
Click here for a link to a website for vegetarian cooking using in-season ingredients.
The majority of Canada’s carbon emissions come from transportation, whether that be from transporting goods or commuting to work.
FUN FACT:
As time progresses, it’s becoming easier to travel sustainably. You have the power to make a change.
With our planet’s ecological budget, our earth cannot sustain a constantly increasing population.
FUN FACT:
You have the ability to choose the size of your family to help our planet’s future.
Despite the visible negative impacts of oil and gas, foresting, and the support of massive corporations, our government often blindly supports them for economic gain.
FUN FACT:
Being political and voicing your opinion makes a difference.
Click here for a link to OEAI’s “Message the Government” feature
Protecting and restoring vital ecosystems (forests, wetlands, conservation areads, etc.) in Ontario is a key factor in the fight against climate change. Biodiverse ecosystems are responsible for clean air, sequestering carbon, and the nutrient cycle.
FUN FACT:
Nature has given to us, isn’t it time to give back?
Click here for a link to various hiking and walking trails in Oshawa!
Fashion, heating, cooling, food, house-size, water usage, energy usage, and stream usage all contribute to carbon emissions. Begin to look at ways you can progress in making your household green!
FUN FACT:
Make the green transition within your own house!
Instead of clicking a link, use your carbon footprint as a benchmark to decrease over time!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to acknowledge that the land that these resources were developed
and organized on is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First
Nation. For that, we are extremely grateful.