As part of its Climate Positive plan, the University of Toronto has committed to reducing its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. Students tell us they are also taking action – by cutting back on single-use plastics, for example, and using other ways besides driving to get around. Surveys have found that climate change is a top-five issue for Canadian youth. Among the students’ “other” responses: choosing more environmentally friendly products, cooking at home more often and conserving electricity and water. Diljot Badessha, a fourth-year student at U of T Mississauga, says she recently started composting at home to reduce food waste. “Doing that small task doesn’t seem like a lot, but I’m proud of it and I think I’m helping.”
34%
Using less plastic and paper, recycling more
19%
Taking public transit
15%
Walking and biking
11%
Carpooling
21%
Other
This highly unscientific poll of 100 U of T students was conducted across the three campuses in January 2023.
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3 Responses to “ What Are You Doing to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? ”
It seems that the single most effective thing that can be done at the individual level - eating less animal food products, beef and dairy in particular - has been left out. Both are large sources of methane emissions in particular (1 kg of methane being equivalent to 26-85 kg of CO2, depending on the time horizon under consideration).
I would like to add to the responses about how we can help mitigate climate change:
1. Buy local food and grow your own in a backyard (if you have one)
2. Repair and recycle, creating less waste
3. If you need a car, drive a hybrid or fully electric one (if it's affordable to you)
4. Eat less meat
5. Conserve heat, hydro and water
We can all contribute to a more sustainable future by doing a small amount!
We spent $150,000 (of our own money - no subsidies) installing 40kW of solar panels and two heat pumps, as well as upgrading our home with low-energy consumption devices. This saves us $10,000 a year -- equivalent to a taxable investment that guarantees 10 per cent return per year.
Then we bought a Tesla for $90,000. This purchase saves $6,000 in fuel and maintenance over a conventional vehicle. The incremental cost of the Tesla over a comparable car (without the performance) is $40,000. Therefore the savings over 10 years is equivalent to a taxable investment of six per cent.
Bottom line: even without subsidies, going green makes economic sense