Decarbonize Your Life

Introduction to
Decarbonize Your Life

Decarbonization means reducing carbon emissions. Energy systems contribute about 75% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so changing the way we use energy is a big way to decarbonize. System-wide changes like replacing coal-fired power plants with wind or solar can dramatically reduce emissions. Individual changes matter, too! 

For instance, if one household replaced their 15+ year old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR certified model, they would save 200+ kWh of electricity per year over the fridge's 12-year life span. 200 kWh might not seem like much, but if every American household replaced their old refrigerator, we would save 2 billion kWh of electricity and avoid emitting 5.5  billion pounds of greenhouse gases every year. That’s equivalent to removing 550,000 vehicles from the road. Taken together, small actions can add up to big impact. Not only that, these actions can save money, make life easier, and improve health.

Each one of us has the power to lead by example, educating others and encouraging them to join in. Taking individual actions keeps decarbonization top of mind when we are making impactful decisions like how we vote, what we buy, and where we choose to invest our money.

Decarbonizing your life might feel overwhelming. You might not know where to start or what to do next. We created this page to simplify the process and help you make progress. We’ve focused on simple actions within your control. Start with one action, and if it works for you, add another. If something doesn't work, pick a different idea from the list. Decarbonizing your life is a journey, and any step forward is success!

One way to think about decarbonization is Avoid-Shift-Improve:

1. Avoid or reduce the need for energy consumption and resource use.
   (e.g., unplug your electronics when not in use to avoid phantom energy drain)
2. Shift to lower-impact options.
   (e.g., walk, bike, or use public transport)
3. Improve the efficiency and sustainability of an activity, process, or system.
   (e.g., install a smart thermostat)

In the sections below, you’ll find ideas for decarbonizing your living space, transportation, food, clothing, and work. We’ve also included tips for empowering your children to save energy.

Sources for this page 

Decarbonize Your Living Space

Residential buildings are significant sources of energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting, and account for about 18% of total U.S. emissions. Reducing water use also saves energy. Water heating accounts for about 18% of household energy use. Even cold water requires energy, since electricity powers the equipment and processes that transport and treat household water.

Whether you’re a student, homeowner, or renter, there are lots of ways to decarbonize your living space.

Small But Impactful Tips

Set up your tables and workspaces near natural sunlight.

Use DIY draft stoppers or weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors and windows.

Open your windows at night to help cool your home. Close blinds or curtains on hot days.

Unplug electronics when you're not using them or use advanced power strips to eliminate vampire loads.

Only boil the water you need.

Match pot to burner size and use a lid to improve heating efficiency and reduce cooking time.

Instead of rinsing, scrape off your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

Run appliances like dishwashers and laundry during off-peak times or when renewable energy is more available.

Bigger Steps

If you’re a homeowner, the goal is to increase your dwelling's energy efficiency, and then, if possible, to electrify big-ticket items such as furnaces and stoves. If you're renting, you might consider speaking with your landlord about the benefits of these upgrades, such as lower energy bills and improved indoor air quality.*

* A 2022 study found that 12.7% of current childhood asthma nationwide is attributed to gas stove use, which is similar to the childhood asthma burden attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.

For more information, check out our Buildings page and these additional resources!

Decarbonize Your Transportation

Transportation is responsible for 28% of U.S. GHG emissions and is a major contributor to other air pollutants that affect human health. Short-distance travel including cars, light trucks, and motorcycles contributes the majority of emissions, and 98% of these vehicles run on gasoline, a highly inefficient fuel.

You can help decarbonize transportation by minimizing your vehicle use and transitioning to lower-impact modes like electric options and public transportation.

Small But Impactful Tips

If you have a short errand, try walking. You’ll also improve your health!

Bike when you can.

Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure.

Time your travel to avoid driving during rush hour and idling in traffic.

Remove excess weight.

Combine errands to reduce your driving.

Carry stuff in the trunk, not on a roof rack, to minimize drag.

Park in the first available spot instead of circling around the lot.

Bigger Steps

It’s Cheaper to Fuel EVs than Gasoline Vehicles

Decarbonize Your Air Travel, Too!

Aviation contributes 7% of global and 10% of U.S. transportation emissions. When you need to travel by air, there are ways to reduce your impact.

For more information, check out our Transportation page and these additional resources!

Decarbonize Your Food

Changing how you buy and consume food is a powerful way to decarbonize your life. The global food system, including production, processing, and distribution to grocery stores, restaurants, and homes, is responsible for 26% of global GHG emissions. Food waste increases those emissions even more. 

In the U.S., people waste 92 billion pounds of food every year. Food waste comprises over 20% of municipal solid waste. In landfills, this waste emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), as it decomposes. 

Improving food systems reduces emissions, decreases water demand, restores land, and protects wildlife. To lower your food emissions, begin by minimizing waste and switching to lower-impact food options.

Small But Impactful Tips

Keep a visible inventory of your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.

Keep an odor-free compost bin in your kitchen for organic food waste.

Label for freshness, avoid storing open containers, and organize your fridge to keep food visible.

Avoid impulse buys. Stick to a list when you shop or order your groceries online.

In restaurants, order only what you’ll eat or take leftovers home. Consider ordering an appetizer or sharing entrees if portions are large.

Share surplus food, like extra fruit from your tree, with neighbors and the community through local apps (e.g., Nextdoor).

Opt for whole wheat bread instead of white. Whole wheat uses the entire wheat kernel, and it has more nutrients, too.

When you’re at the grocery store, avoid buying roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations.

Bigger Steps

Individual foods vary widely in how they impact the environment. Curious about how your food choices stack up? This interactive chart compares CO₂ emissions across a number of common commodities. You might be surprised! 

For more information, check out these additional resources!

Decarbonize Your Clothing

The textile and fashion industries generate 10% of global emissions annually, more than the freight and aviation industries combined, in addition to 20% of industrial water pollution and 35% of microplastic pollution in the ocean.

The “fast fashion” model exacerbates these issues by promoting overconsumption and shifting the burden of waste and pollution to less-regulated and less-developed countries. This results in environmental degradation and perpetuates poverty in affected communities. Mitigate these impacts by reducing your consumption and disposal of clothing while investing in long-lasting materials.

Small But Impactful Tips

Wash clothes with cold water.

Rent clothing for special occasions.

Only wash jeans every 5-10 wears.

Use two tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent per load.

Pass down your clothes to friends and relatives, or donate to community clothing banks.

Create a capsule wardrobe (a small, timeless wardrobe) to avoid rapidly changing trends.

Upcycle old, irreparable clothing into dish towels, garden clothes, plant holders, and patchwork coats.

Ask for gift cards or let friends and family know you prefer to avoid receiving clothing as gifts.

Bigger Steps

For more information, check out these additional resources!

Decarbonize Your Work

In the U.S., 73% of workers express anxiety about climate change, and 61% want stronger environmental actions from their employers. You can help in a few different ways. One is to focus on reducing energy usage in your workplace. Another is to help your company integrate decarbonization into its business practices. Or, if you’re open to an even bigger step, you can shift to a climate-focused career.

Small But Impactful Tips

Wear layers in case office temperatures fluctuate.

Use a ceramic or aluminum coffee mug instead of paper/plastic or Styrofoam.

Turn off the coffee maker after the morning rush.

Post sticky notes near light switches to remind employees to turn off lights.

Add plants to your workspace to naturally cool and improve the air.

Unplug office copiers and scanners, which are always on standby, at the end of the day.

Shut down your computer, don’t just “sleep” it.

Bring reusable containers to take home leftover treats.

Bigger Steps

Embed Decarbonization in Your Role

Transition to a Climate Career or Volunteer

For more information, check out these additional resources!

Decarbonize With Your Kids

Kids can be a part of the solution, too! Parents can help empower kids by instilling a love for nature when they’re young, a joy in taking action, and pride in making an impact.

Before you begin, watch the video “Worse Than Poop” with your kids for a fun introduction to climate change and the importance of decarbonization.

Small But Impactful Tips

Each small action matters! Share these tips with your kids to show them how they can make a big difference.

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth and save up to 200 gallons of water a month!

Switch off electronics when you’re done with them and save over $100 a year for your home!

Walk or bike if you live near your school and save about one pound of GHGs per mile! 

Learn about safe routes.

Wear clothes more than once if they’re not dirty. Each load of laundry uses about 20 gallons of water, so wearing items again saves water and energy!

Only serve yourself as much food as you can finish. Wasting food contributes about 8% of global GHG emissions.

Remember to recycle paper, plastic, and cans in the blue bin. Recycling 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours!

Bigger Steps For Parents and Kids Together

For more information, check out these additional resources!

Other Energy Topics to Explore