Passenger Vehicle Emissions

Sixty percent (9,000 miles) of our driving each year is powered by our on-site wind and solar power – no gas. We haven’t needed to use public chargers.

The other 40% (5,000 miles) (gasoline powered) averaged 54 MPG.  So we burn 92 gallons of gas per year.  At 20 pounds of CO₂ per gallon, our passenger vehicle driving emits 1,850 pounds of CO₂ per year.

The average American passenger vehicle travels 11,500 miles at 22 MPG emitting 9,200 pounds of CO₂  

Farm Equipment

After tracking fuel filling, we use 25 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.  At 20 pounds of CO₂ per gallon our farm equipment emits 500 pounds of CO₂ per year.

Total gasoline and diesel fuel emissions = 2,300 lbs of CO₂

Airplane Travel

We have not traveled in an airplane for several years, however, if we traveled by air we would emit .09 pounds of CO₂ for each mile traveled. (No average American figures available)

Natural Gas or Propane Gas

We don’t use natural gas or propane gas, however, if we used natural gas we would emit 117 pounds of CO₂ for each BTU and if we used propane we would emit 12.5 pounds of CO₂ for each gallon.  And if we used coal we would emit 2 pounds of CO₂ for 1 pound of coal.  We are all electric.

The average American household emits 6,400 pounds of CO₂ each year for heating.

Electricity Consumed

• 14,000 kWh annually for Heating and Air Conditioning
• 6,800 kWh annually for home and farm appliances and passenger vehicles
• 750 kWh annually for farm livestock

Total consumed is 21,550 kWh. At 1 pounds of CO₂ per kWh of electricity, that is 21,550 pounds of CO₂

Electricity Produced

From on-farm Wind Power: 7,000 kWh annually

From on-farm Solar power: 15,000 kWh annually

Total produced is 22,000 kWh. At 1 pounds of CO₂ per kWh electricity produced, emissions are reduced by 22,000 pounds of CO₂

Net total electricity emissions = 0 pounds CO₂

The average American household emits 6,400 pounds of CO₂ from heating and 23,300 pounds from electricity for a total of 30,000 pounds annually 

Garbage

We eat at home 90% of the time.  Our average amount of garbage sent to the landfill is 2 ½ gallons weekly or 130 gallons annually.  Each gallon emits 1.92 lbs. of CO₂ for a total of 250 pounds of CO₂ annually.

Total Garbage emissions = 250 pounds CO₂

The average American household wastes 200 gallons of garbage annually at 1.92 lbs. CO₂ per pound for a total of 384 pounds of CO₂

There are other things we do to increase our carbon footprint that can’t be easily measured but here are the totals we can measure.

Carbon Footprint Totals

Gasoline and Diesel Emissions	2,300 pounds
Electricity Emissions	0 pounds
Natural Gas, Propane or Coal Emissions	0 pounds
Garbage Emissions	250 pounds
Total Emissions	2550 pounds of CO2

Living on a small farm gives us the opportunity to maintain a major carbon sink.

The farm has 50 acres of trees/woods that are expected to capture or sequester a minimum of 5,000 pounds of CO₂ per acre or 250,000 pounds of CO₂ annually.  We want to maintain that and control invasive plants.

The farm will have 105 acres of prairie in a patch-burn grazing program by 2024.  These 105 acres will absorb or sequester 10,000 pounds per acre or 1,050,000 pounds of CO₂ annually.  30 cows can graze on the prairie with one-third of the prairie being burned each year. The prairie will provide a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife.

The farm will have another 15 acres of pasture and lawn grass that absorb or sequester 2,000 pounds per acre or 30,000 pounds of CO₂ annually.

Our land will be absorbing or sequestering 1,330,000 pounds or 603 metric tons of CO₂ annually.

Building a new home was an opportunity to use design concepts that blend with natural surroundings and functions on natural resources. The natural surroundings are limestone and trees so the house has reclaimed limestone below and a rounded wood roof.  The house functions with ground HVAC, the sun and the wind.  Window placement provides natural passive solar warmth in the winter and is shaded in the summer.  A natural windbreak is provided by the unheated garage and shop on the north side.  In-floor hot water radiant heat adds comfort and is a better heat distribution system.

The exterior stone and insulation are reclaimed and recycled. Wood products are replaceable from our woodlands and new tree plantings. The roof is organic.

It is important to say “It has taken a lot of help from many other people to make our climate action possible.”

We prefer to donate to nonprofits that are helping make climate change improvements.

We have invested in wind and solar power that now produce 2,000,000 kilowatt hours annually and a 1950s home to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.  Tax incentives and grants made these projects work.

We deposit money in Greenpenny Bank, a branch of Decorah Bank and Trust Company because the deposits are used exclusively by the Greenpenny Bank Branch to make solar loans.  

We invest in Socially Responsible Investments that have emphasis on climate change resolutions.