Global climate change is already altering our world. From water stress and wildfires, to stronger hurricanes and sea level rise, to ocean acidification and habitat change, climate change is affecting the resources we need to live and thrive.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we can reduce the worst effects of climate change by limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

This is still possible if we cut global carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions around 2050.

Because of human activities, global temperatures have already increased by 1°C since the pre-industrial era.

The time to act is now.

I study earth systems, and as I studied, I became painfully aware that while I worried a lot about climate change and talked a lot about it, the way I used energy and resources didn’t line up with my values. To feel at peace about my life and choices, I can’t just talk about climate action; I have to live it.

The world can be carbon neutral by 2050. Since I’m only one person, I believe my home life can become carbon neutral by 2030.

What is carbon neutrality?

For every ton of carbon emitted, another ton of carbon must be saved or absorbed from the atmosphere.

The best way to achieve net-zero carbon emissions is to reduce my overall carbon emissions. Since it may be difficult to reduce emissions down to zero, I will fund renewable energy projects to offset any carbon that my activities produce.

By 2030, I plan to reduce my carbon emissions by 80% (from a 2019 baseline) and offset the other 20% by funding renewable energy projects.

Why blog about this?

Many of the big changes I’ve made in my life have been the result of public accountability. (In 2011, a friend of mine bet that I couldn’t go without eating chicken or turkey for a whole month. I’ve been pescatarian ever since.) This blog will keep me on track while I reduce emissions.

And perhaps you, reading this blog, will be inspired to start your own journey to carbon neutrality, and together we’ll make the world a healthier place.

How will I do this?

The first step: to get an accurate estimation of my carbon footprint. I am not considering the resources I use for my research (my employer has its own sustainability goals), but my home energy use, transportation, food, and the products I buy all have a carbon cost. I’ll calculate my carbon footprint and use it as the 2019 baseline.

Next, I’ll research the best ways to reduce my carbon emissions, build them into my routine one by one, and calculate the carbon savings. I’ll share my struggles and successes as I work toward carbon neutrality with a limited budget and limited free time. To get to 80% reduction, I’ll need to rethink the way I interact with everything: my car, the food I buy, the clothes I wear, what I throw away or recycle, my hobbies, my lifestyle.

I’m looking forward to the journey. Thank you for walking along with me.