Reduce Your Environmental Footprint
Green Living Quantified is committed to measuring the greenhouse gas impact of our personal choices by quantifying the effects of our lifestyles in tons of greenhouse gases. This site provides answers to questions such as: How many tons of greenhouse gases are saved by improving home energy efficiency? What is the impact of buying a specific car, changing your diet, planting a tree, or taking a flight for vacation? Climate change is a pressing issue, and your actions can make a meaningful difference!
Fits Your Lifestyle: Environmental actions should align with your budget, available time, and lifestyle. Each category of improvements includes a table estimating impact levels, costs, and time commitments. In the table below, dollar signs indicate approximate cost ranges: $ = $1–$9, $$$$ = thousands of dollars.
Personal Benefits: Many green lifestyle choices can reduce utility bills, alleviate allergies, enhance health, and make homes more affordable, comfortable, and resilient. See the Explore Benefits section below the table for more details.
| Links | Potential Environmental Impact GHG=Greenhouse Gases | Startup Costs ($) W=Amount of Work | Personal Side Benefits |
| Improve Home Energy Efficiency | $ to $$$$ W to WW | Lower long-term costs. Make home more comfortable. Health: reduce dust, allergens | |
| Reduce Electricity Impact | 1/2 to 3+tons GHG/appliance | $$ to $$$ W | Lower long-term costs. Health: reduce asthma, allergies with electric appliances (e.g., oven) |
| Reduce Impact of Diet | 2+ tons GHG/person Healthier top soil Sequester carbon in soils | $ to $$ W | Health: Reduce % and level of many diseases. Reduce allergies (with organic). May lower costs. |
| Understanding Effects of Personal Transportation Public Transportation | 2 to 3+ tons GHG/year 1+ ton GHG/trip | $$$ to $$$$$ W | Lower long-term fuel costs. |
| Gardening for Environmental Benefit | Support native animals Reduce erosion Reduce pollution in air, water, land Sequester carbon: Kg GHG/tree | $ to $$ W to WWW | Produce food Reduce home flooding Make home more attractive Provide shade Fun Hobby |
Explore Benefits
Interested in vacation travel but worried about your environmental impact? Explore Public Transportation options for greener travel.
Looking to reduce your housing expenses? In hot or cold climates, Energy Efficiency improvements—like sealing your home’s envelope, adding insulation, programming thermostats, or upgrading to high-efficiency HVAC systems—can significantly lower costs, especially in older or affordable homes. Additionally, optimizing Electricity use with efficient appliances helps save money long-term. Planting trees or shrubs strategically can reduce summer heat, enhance curb appeal, boost property value, and mitigate flooding (see Gardening).
Is your home prone to flooding? Planting large bushes or trees can improve soil absorption and reduce health risks associated with flooding (learn more in Gardening).
Interested in gardening but short on time? Choose low-maintenance perennial plants such as trees, shrubs, perennial vegetables, and native species to enjoy gardening without yearly replanting (see Gardening).
Dealing with allergies or asthma? Consider switching to an electric stove (Electricity) and incorporating healthy organic foods (Diet). You might also hire a home energy auditor to check for mold and suggest ways to reduce dust and sinus issues (Home Efficiency).
Struggling with weight, high medical costs, or chronic health issues like cancer, diabetes, or inflammation? Explore plant-based, low-impact, and organic diet options to boost your health (Diet).
Finding transportation fuel costs burdensome? Learn about e-bikes and hybrid or electric vehicles to reduce your expenses (Transportation – Personal).
Friends and family live far away, making travel expensive? Consider signing up for a Zoom account to stay connected frequently and affordably.