The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. EPA tracks total U.S. emissions by publishing the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.

Meet the Greenhouse Gases!

• Water vapor.
• Carbon dioxide.
• Methane.
• Ozone.
• Nitrous oxide.
• Chlorofluorocarbons.

When we talk about greenhouse gases, we’re referring to carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

Earth’s greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet. The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated gases (which are synthetic).

carbon dioxide

Meat, cheese and eggs have the highest carbon footprint. Fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts have much lower carbon footprints. If you move towards a mainly vegetarian diet, you can have a large impact on your personal carbon footprint.

Top 5 most polluting countries

1. China (30%) The world’s most populated country has an enormous export market, which has seen its industry grow to become a serious danger to the planet.
2. United States (15%) The world’s biggest industrial and commercial power.
3. India (7%)
4. Russia (5%)
5. Japan (4%)

Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan has put the country on track to not only meet, but exceed its 2030 Paris Agreement emissions reduction goal – we can’t stop there. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to moving to net-zero emissions by 2050.

As far as early achievers go, Bhutan and Suriname are the only two countries that have achieved carbon neutrality and are actually carbon negative (removing more carbon than they emit).

Canada’s economy could shrink by 6.9 per cent per year by 2050 without more ambitious climate action – Oxfam. Canada’s economy could shrink by 6.9 per cent annually by 2050 without more ambitious climate action, according to Oxfam’s analysis of research by the Swiss Re Institute.

Some strategies used to reduce the energy needs of a home include:

1. Passive solar design.
2. High-efficiency insulation.
3. Solar hot water heaters.
4. Ground source heat pumps.
5. High quality and energy-efficient windows.
6. Reducing air leaks throughout the home.
7. Energy-efficient lights and appliances – look for the Energy Star label.

How to make your home net zero

1. Renewable generation. Solar (roof-mounted PV panels) is currently the most affordable way to generate your own energy.
2. Efficient water management.
3. Exceptional air sealing.
4. Smart devices.
5. Continuous insulation.
6. ENERGY STAR appliances.
7. High performance windows and doors.
8. Efficient lighting.

7 design strategies to achieving Net Zero Carbon

1. Reducing virgin materials demand. Reducing fossil energy demand.
2. Repurposing existing buildings and materials. Reducing the need for material replacements during building life-cycle by choosing longer-lasting products.
3. Replacing fossil energy elsewhere.

Here are 10 easy ways you can start making a difference:

1. Stop buying your water in plastic.
2. Incorporate walking or biking to some of your regular short-trip destinations.
3. Turn off lights and unplug devices when you’re not using them.
4. Keep the tires on your car properly inflated and get regular tune-ups.

5 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

• learn the 5 R’s: refuse, reduce, reuse, rot, recycle: Going zero waste is a great step towards combating climate change.
• bike more and drive less:
• conserve water and protect our waterways:
• eat seasonally, locally, and more plants:
• switch to sustainable, clean energy:

Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles. Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the air. Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too.

• First thing you must do is Calculate Your Carbon Footprint.
• People, especially those who can afford it can use hybrid cars.
• Eat low on the food chain.
• Use air conditioning and heatless.
• Reduce, recycle and reuse.
• Buy energy-efficient products.
• Drive smart and less.
• Take care of your car.

How You Can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Home

1. Get a home energy audit. Take advantage of the free home energy audits offered by many utilities.
2. Use Renewable energy.
3. Purchase Solar Panels.
4. Buy Green Tags.
5. Purchase Carbon offsets.
6. Adjust your thermostat.
7. Install solar lights.
8. Use energy-saving light bulbs.

There are many ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, including energy efficiency, fuel switching, combined heat and power, use of renewable energy, and the more efficient use and recycling of materials.

Notes. Globally, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are electricity and heat (31%), agriculture (11%), transportation (15%), forestry (6%) and manufacturing (12%). Energy production of all types accounts for 72 percent of all emissions.

Top 10 ways to reduce your CO2 emissions footprint

1. Make climate-conscious political decisions.
2. Eat less red meat.
3. Purchase “green electricity“.
4. Make your home and household energy efficient.
5. Buy energy and water efficient appliances.
6. Walk, cycle or take public transport.
7. Recycle, re-use and avoid useless purchases.

You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions if you:

• Reduce. Reduce the amount of new stuff you buy.
• Reuse. Try to borrow or rent things you’ll only need for a short amount of time, and reuse the things you already have.
• Recycle.
• Buy recycled.
• Teach your school the three R’s.

Top 5 ways to cut down on food waste

1. Don’t over buy. Keep track of what you’ve bought and used.
2. Check the use-by dates of fresh food when you buy it. These are the dates to take notice of, rather than the best-before dates.
3. Plan ahead.
4. Get to know your grocer.
5. Love your freezer.

Eight Ways to Reduce Waste

1. Use a reusable bottle/cup for beverages on-the-go.
2. Use reusable grocery bags, and not just for groceries.
3. Purchase wisely and recycle.
4. Compost it!
5. Avoid single-use food and drink containers and utensils.
6. Buy secondhand items and donate used goods.

The United Nations estimates that one in nine people in the world do not have access to sufficient food to lead a healthy life. More people are reported to die from hunger every day than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.