Saving Snow

So, here’s a quiz to test your knowledge of carbon dioxide emissions. See the answers at the end of this piece.

1.       What is the carbon footprint of the average American?

a.       10,000 pounds per year

b.       25,000 ppy

c.       50,000 ppy

d.       100,000 ppy

2.       By comparision, the footprint of an average world citizen is:

a.       40,000 ppy

b.       36,000 ppy

c.       20,000 ppy

d.       8,000 ppy

3.       Eating one vegetarian meal per week would save an amount of carbon emissions equivalent to driving the following number of miles in your vehicle.

a.       1,160

b.       1,050

c.       870

d.       750

4.       Washing your clothes on the ‘cold’ cycle of your machine can save the following pounds of carbon emissions.

a.       ½ to 5

b.       1 to 14

c.       3 to 18

d.       10 to 20

5.       Many Italians have fewer carbon emissions on wash day by hanging clothing outside to dry. How many Italians own clothes dryers?

a.       50%

b.       25%

c.       5%

d.       1%

Saving Snow

What does any of this have to do with saving snow? Plenty. Scientists around the world are convinced that the piddling amounts of snow that has fallen in recent years results from our practice of using the atmosphere as a colossal junk yard for man-made emissions.

But, you may say, what about the debate on this issue? In fact, there is no debate. Ninety seven percent of scientists who study such matters reported their agreement in a 2013 study of 12,000  papers on climate science published since 1990. The only faint echo of a debate comes from politicians who receive bribes, (make that campaign contributions) from energy industry companies or their lobbyists.

I watched a documentary last night about this topic. The film showed the struggles of American cities located in northern areas where snow is a large part of their economies due to downhill skiing, Nordic skiing and other activities that depend upon on snow. The film reported on the projects undertaken by several U.S. communities that seek to limit hydrocarbon emissions. Most are showing favorable results and many believe they can become energy independent within the next two decades, despite the current political climate. It was an encouraging report provided by the Roscommon Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. Their message seems to be that if we work together, even with small changes like those hinted at by the test, we can make big improvements. It makes sense to me. Write your congressman if you want to see improvements in our air quality.

Test answers: 1.) 50,000 pounds  2.) 8,000 pounds  3.)1,160 miles  4,) 1 to 14 pounds  5.) 5%