Greenhouse Emissions | South Seattle Emerald

by Mark Van Streefkerk

Just a few weeks ago we were sweating through the hottest June temperatures in Seattle’s recorded history. Triple digits heat can be dangerous, especially to vulnerable populations and people who are not housed. The heatwave caused the city to coordinate cooling stations – including libraries, spray parks, and beaches – as of the 28th. The heatwave also affected many non-human lives. In Vancouver, BC, the June heat wave killed 1 billion marine animals. Such astounding numbers could have dire consequences for marine life and the interdependent ecosystems.

The main reason for the rising temperatures in Seattle (overall, Seattle has warmed by 2 degrees since 1900) is climate change. Climate change occurs when greenhouse gases trap heat and warm the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Human activity is responsible for almost all of the rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the past 150 years. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity in the United States is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. ”

A carbon footprint is a calculation of how much greenhouse gases a person or a population generates. At The Nature Conservancy you can calculate your own carbon footprint. (It’s super interesting!) Scientists have been sounding the alarm about climate change for decades, and while there is much work to be done on a global scale to change the course of the climate crisis, the choices we make in our daily lives are, some things, about that we are in control.

The Emerald explores changes South End residents can make to reduce our carbon footprint in a new series of articles. In this first issue, we examine how eating at the bottom of the food chain is not only more sustainable for the planet, but also plays an important role in the health of our communities and food justice movements.

Continue reading The South End Guide to Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Plant-Based Diets →