Early on in this thread, I wrote that I would “shut up on this thread”, because it was already far afield of discussion of hiking. Some responded that I should “please do” and accompanied that statement with language which appeared to be an attempt to bully and intimidate those with a different view from theirs. Despite very much wanting to respond to many of the things written on this thread, I continued to “shut up”, not because of bullying or intimidation, but mostly, because I said I would, and also because the discussion was getting farther and farther afield of hiking and backpacking.
The discussion getting farther and farther afield of hiking and backpacking ship has clearly sailed on without me, so I would like to jump back in for the very limited purpose of responding to skiguy’s excellent question:
has anyone here made a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint. If so, what have you done and can you report any tangible individual results???
I hope my response will contain nothing controversial. As it pertains to my own experience, no one can be more informed on that subject than me.
My answer is “No”. Not to reduce solely my
carbon footprint.
I’ve made considerable efforts for pretty much my whole adult life to reducing my
entire footprint. Any reduction in my carbon footprint is merely a
byproduct of the effort to reduce the
whole footprint. After all, isn’t doing so just “leave no trace” writ large? One may come very close on a hike or backpack to leaving no trace. Applying that principle to the way one lives one’s life, I don’t believe you can come close, but that’s no reason not to do the best you can, and to come as close as you can.
The Yankee mantra of “Use it up! Wear it out! Make it do! Do without!” was drilled into my brain from an early age. I grew to hate waste of any kind, to avoid it whenever possible. The author of the universe placed great resources at our disposal for our use, but
not for abuse or waste. What disrespect it would be to waste, despoil, abuse resources simply because we can. Conserving our great blessings is a good for its own sake.
I generally get 10+ years and 250,000 miles from a car. I generally buy economical models that get good fuel economy. One time, because I had a long commute, I splurged on a car that was more luxurious than I would have gotten otherwise, because I would be spending a lot of time in it. But I still made sure it got 30 mpg! Only got 235,000 miles out of that one. Tangible result: The cars I didn’t buy because I drove vehicles until they wouldn’t go any more used exactly zero resources for manufacture, transport and disposal. Got to reduce the carbon footprint, no? Also, because when negotiating a car purchase, I’m the amateur, and the car salesman is the professional, there is no way I am coming out ahead on that negotiation – the best thing I can do is reduce the number of times I come out on the short end!
I buy very little processed food, my recycle is always much fuller than my trash bin, it’s not unusual to go a month or more before the trash bin is full enough to merit putting the bin out for collection. I compost my garbage. Have a berry patch with raspberries, and blackberries. Until recently, I had a garden with tomato, pepper, green beans, lettuce. Tangible result: Cheaper, less resources used, better food to eat.
Never been a fashion plate. Choose my clothes for function and then wear them out. Tangible result: Cheaper, less resources used. Both have got to reduce the carbon footprint, no?
Use the same TV I bought in 1979 when I got my first “real job”. It still works. Still “good enough”. Similar story for other such “stuff’. Use skills I have accumulated over the years to repair stuff, or to adapt stuff to a different purpose, rather than throw away and buy new. You get the idea. Tangible result: Stuff I didn’t buy used no resources to create, or transport, and stuff I didn’t throw away because I never obtained it in the first place despoiled nothing.
I could go on at great length, boring you to tears in the process if I haven’t already done so, but you get the idea.
I live comfortably enough, but frugally. Try to keep my footprint light. Won’t say I always succeed, but I honestly think I mostly do. Tangible result: By living frugally and keeping my footprint light, I used fewer resources, and instead, saved money that would be spent living a more wasteful lifestyle. Waste is expensive!
Tangible result: I was able to retire in my age 50 year. Not because I was rich, but because I just didn’t need a big income for a lifestyle that seeks to waste as little as possible, the small income from my savings was sufficient. I can’t prove it, but I have to think that my entire footprint, including my carbon footprint, is smaller than many other’s.
Hope this wasn’t too long or boring. What I wanted most to convey is that reducing waste and abuse of resources is a good in and of itself and should be promoted for its own sake. Beneficial impact on the carbon footprint is gravy. I can’t prove it, but I firmly believe that minimizing waste and impact on the planet has to be good for the planet, in and of itself.
I'd still rather be reading trip reports, discussions of gear, etc....
TomK
