How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides a wide reaching list of actions we all can take to lower our climate footprint.  It’s top 8 recommendations are:

  1. Save with energy weatherization
  2. Switch to clean heating and cooling
  3. Tap into renewable power
  4. Opt for low-carbon transport
  5. Upgrade to efficient, all-electric appliances
  6. Electrify yard equipment
  7. Landscape with native plants (visit our Native Plant & Pollinator Demonstration Garden at Town Hall for ideas!)
  8. Reduce and compost food waste (the Town of Bethlehem manages the only food scraps composting facility in the Capital Region!)

For more details, visit NYSERDA at https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Featured-Stories/Steps-to-Lower-Your-Carbon-Footprint

Carbon Footprint Calculators
Have you ever wondered how much carbon dioxide (CO2) you release into the environment? There are a number of calculators online that can help estimate your personal carbon footprint. These calculators will ask you to fill in a wide range of data, such as where you live, what you eat, and what transportation modes you use.

They may also ask you how much you spend per month on energy; this data is used to calculate your usage based on national or regional average energy prices. Based upon the data given, the calculators then estimate your total CO2 emissions.
Sustainable Bethlehem

Some calculators are more complex or focus on different parameters than others. Listed below are a few of the more user-friendly carbon footprint calculators available to consumers.

Resources