As we approach Earth Day, we are reminded of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. A recent report from the United Nations comes as a “dire” warning that the earth is on track to exceed the agreed warming limit if “drastic” and “immediate” cuts to greenhouse gas emissions aren’t made.
The science-based report said human-induced climate change is causing widespread disruption in nature and hitting lower-income and communities of color the hardest. While the greenhouse effect is essential to life on Earth, human-made emissions are trapping emissions in the atmosphere and causing the earth to warm at concerning rates.
While the climate crisis itself is a global concern, solving it can start locally.
Track your carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by actions. The average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is one of the highest rates in the world. There are plenty of websites that can help track carbon footprints by calculating the amount of people in the household and their transportation modes. You can track your carbon footprint at carbonfootprint.com or https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Drive less, walk more
A single gallon of gasoline burned creates more than 8 grams of carbon emissions. When possible, walk, bike or take public transportation. Be smart about when and how you drive.
Have all or part of your monthly energy use Green Power
AES Indiana offers an option for all consumers to operate part or all of their electricity using environmentally friendly, renewable resources for only a couple dollars more on your bill. The energy sector is dependent on nonrenewable energy resources such as coal, natural gas and oil, which cannot be replaced once it is gone. It’s important to invest in renewable energy because it naturally replenishes itself in the environment.
You can choose to offset 100%, 50% or 25% of your home and businesses have an option to enroll at least 10%. A typical customer using 1,000 kWh per month enrolled at 100% level would pay an additional $5.50 on their bill. Participating in Green Power supports further development of renewable energy sources and helps accelerate the amount of renewable energy coming onto the grid. Estimate the cost to run your home or business on green power at https://myaccount.aesindiana.com/GreenPowerEstimator/default.aspx
To register for Green Power, simply login to your AES account and select the usage amount.
Recycle Electronics Locally
Indiana’s Electronic Waste law prohibits households, small businesses and schools from disposing of electronic waste in the trash. This earth day, drop your electronics off at Riverside Park, 2420 Riverside Drive. The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and the Indianapolis Department of Publics Works joined RecycleForce to host an electronics recycling drop off event. Similar events in recent years have drawn hundreds of attendees and diverted thousands of pounds of electronic material from the landfill. The event will start at 9 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. on April 22.
“We encourage residents across Marion County to participate in another year of Earth Day electronics recycling as they re-organize during spring cleaning,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Together, we can divert electronic waste from our landfills, while continuing to offer impactful re-entry employment opportunities.”
Attendees should use the park entrance at East Riverside Drive and W 27th Street. Due to the 30th Street bridge closure over the White River, attendees should approach from 16th Street, south of the event.
Energy & Waste
- Doing small tasks like turning down the heating by 1 degree can make a big difference. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree can cut down heating bills by up to 10%, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
- Select energy efficient products such as LED lightbulbs and solar powered lights. An official list of energy efficient products can be found on energystar.gov.
