August Challenge: Clean Energy at Home

August Challenge: Clean Energy at Home - Happy Earth®

Residential energy accounts for about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States – that’s energy used to power things like electrical appliances, air conditioning, and lighting for people’s homes. Depending on the state you live in, the way your electricity is generated may be different than someone in another part of the country, and that will have a large effect on your home’s carbon footprint. In New Jersey, for instance, homes are powered by a mix of Natural Gas (55%), Nuclear (36%), Solar (4%), and (<5%) Coal and other Renewables. In Oregon, their homes are powered mostly by Hydroelectric (47%), Natural Gas (34%), Wind (11%), and Coal.

Most of the United States’ improvement in emissions related to energy production is due to transitioning from Coal, which is an extraordinarily dirty fossil fuel, to Natural Gas, which doesn’t create as much carbon dioxide and other pollutants per unit energy produced.

This month, we want you to find out how your home is powered. Do some research and see what your state’s energy mix is.

This interactive article from the New York Times may be helpful.

To complete this month's challenge, fill out and submit the form below:
 

We encourage you to reach out to your state representatives to tell them how you feel about your state’s energy mix and it’s efforts to transition to clean energy. We have a quick guide on how to do this here:

How to Contact Your US Government Representatives