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Health department calculates Lincoln's 'carbon footprint'

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By ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 - 12:02:55 am CDT

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is asking residents to help reduce the city’s “carbon footprint” to help curb global warming.

A carbon footprint is a measurement of carbon dioxide and  other greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities, such as driving a car, burning coal and other fuels for electricity and other sources.

Since November, the health department has been collecting data on greenhouse gas emissions, using 1990 as a baseline and comparing it with 2005, the most recent year for which information  was available. Here’s what they found:

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* In 2005, Lincoln’s CO2 emissions totalled 4,583,000 tons, compared to 3,130,000 tons in 1990. That’s about a 46 percent increase over 15 years.

* In 1990, a Lincoln resident’s CO2 emissions measured 17 tons. It grew to 18.3 tons by 2005. But Lincoln is still below the U.S. average for CO2 emissions, which according to the Federal  Energy Administration is 20 tons per person per year.

Air Quality Program Supervisor Rick Thorson said the findings are not that surprising because the city’s population has grown and more people are driving, especially from suburbs and rural areas. However, he said, Lincoln needs to address its greenhouse gas emissions just like other cities across the nation and world are doing.

“It’s time to take action to cut our CO2 emissions. Everyone has a role to play — individuals, businesses and government,” Thorson said. “City agencies and many local businesses have reduced their energy and gas consumption. Now it is time for individual citizens to take action to reduce their personal CO2 pollution.”

Thorson and Renae Rief, a senior environmental health educator with the department, encouraged people to examine their lifestyles and find ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Suggestions include: driving less; walking, biking or using public transportation; raising the thermostat a few degrees on your air conditioner; buying less; and recycling. Getting an energy audit on your home or business also can help.

“We’d like to see Lincoln become a leader in this area,” Thorson said.

 The health department undertook the carbon footprint study as part of Mayor Chris Beutler’s new emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in city government, an initiative that began with former Mayor Coleen Seng’s administration.

In calculating the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, the health department looked at residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and waste sectors of the community. Data was collected from the Lincoln Electric System, Black Hills Energy (formerly Aquila), state and federal energy offices, Lincoln’s Planning and Public Works & Utilities departments, Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and Nebraska Ethanol Board.

Among the four areas, the transportation sector showed the largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2005, Thorson said. That’s because more vehicles are on the road and people are driving farther.

Some people are already biking and walking more to save money on gas.

And if you are in the market for a new car, consider this: Replacing a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon with one that gets 30 mpg will save you money at the pump and decrease your CO2 emissions by about 4,000 pounds — or two tons — per year.

Said Thorson: “I’d encourage each family and individual in Lincoln to make it a goal to reduce their CO2 emissions. Reducing CO2  pollution can only be accomplished by making lifestyle changes which lower personal energy consumption.”

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.


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MeadowLark wrote on July 21, 2008 3:30 am:
" If it is robust, the carbon footprint study should provide findings that widening 27th Stret remains a viable and necessary project. Without efficiency of our infrastructure the city is failing to maximize her potential. And while conservation practices, alongside taxation of cars entering the city center are key components of a carbon policy, mass transportation should emerge as a behavior the city realizes is crucial to achieving movement of people coupled with reduced emissions (carbon footprint).. "

 Neo wrote on July 21, 2008 6:57 am:
" Just another excuse to raise our taxes. Just wait and see. "

 Susan wrote on July 21, 2008 7:03 am:
" It would be wonderful if the recycling centers around town would accept plastic recyclables 3 - 7. Granted, there actually needs to be a market for products made from these type of recyclables. It would also be great if the public could be better informed - to learn how to recycle and repurpose before throwing things into the landfill. For example, there are safe ways to recycle and repurpose old cell phones, computers and other electronics. I would really like to see the Journal Star take a more proactive role in publishing articles about what individuals can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Those of us who have been environmentalists since the original Earth Day have reached the point where it feels like we are preaching to the choir - more needs to be done to communicate the message to the masses. Just some very simple recycling of household products - newspapers, 1 & 2 plastics, magazines, aluminum cans, shredded paper, cardboard, miscellaneous household paper - can actually reduce the amount of trash that goes into the landfill by at least 50%. People could also switch to refillable water bottles instead of tossing all of that plastic into the landfill. It's really not that much more effort to be eco-conscious. People just need to be better informed and the message needs to be communicated regularly. Perhaps the city of Lincoln could sponsor some training for local businesses and employees and teach them how to recycle and repurpose. Perhaps the current state of the economy will serve as motivation for people to cut back. It's true, being eco-conscious does save money, too! "

 global hoax wrote on July 21, 2008 7:21 am:
" What a joke all plants and animals give off CO2... What is next ban us all... Volcanos give of more CO2 in one day than we could in a year... "

 whatafarce wrote on July 21, 2008 7:51 am:
" yes, lincoln...you should all go back to riding horses or donkeys up and down the street as your primary form of transportation! also, you will be limited to one square of toilet paper per visit to the lou. oh, and no more computers, either since they waste all sorts of energy. of course the "smartest people in the room" imposing these changes on you will not have to endure such sacrifices because they need additional resources to rule over the uneducated masses - afterall, some animals are more equal than others... "

 high priest algore wrote on July 21, 2008 7:54 am:
" remember to buy your indulgences...err, your carbon credits to account for your sins against the environment! make checks payable to AlGore, high priest of the religion of environmentalism. "

 What wrote on July 21, 2008 8:24 am:
" We have a budget crisis and these people are doing this? What a crock!!!!!!!!! Whoever asked these people to do this should be fired. And the line about encouraging each family to make it a goal to reduce their CO2 emissions ---- WHY? Are we going to start rejecting potential economic development in town on the basis of CO2 emissions? How much did this stupid exercise cost the taxpayers of Lincoln? How about the City take that money and mow the parks instead? Oh wait, the mowers emit CO2.... what a crock. "

 Scott wrote on July 21, 2008 9:06 am:
" Wow. Lincoln residents ANGRY! Geeze. This is good information to know. Even if humans role in global warming is a farce, it still makes sense to conserve our resources. "

 huskerbohonk wrote on July 21, 2008 10:07 am:
" Instead of spending tax dollars on recycling centers, why doesn't the State of Nebraska pass Container Deposit Legislation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_deposit_legislation#US_States_with_Container_Deposits

It works well in other states, unclaimed deposits can be used to fund other recycling efforts. We could be the first state to require deposits on ALL plastic and aluminum containers. I'm old enough to remember scrounging around town for pop bottles (@ 3 cents each) "

 follow up wrote on July 21, 2008 10:17 am:
" now you need to follow up on this story. run an article tomorrow about how to reduce the carbon footprint. everyone knows this needs to happen, but most people don't know how to make it happen. other than driving less, flipping off lights, and running A/C less, some of the other things aren't so common sense. and a can guarantee that most people won't go out and buy a new car, there going to want to know how to improve the car the currently own. Ideas, Ideas, Ideas. "

 Dog Days wrote on July 21, 2008 10:23 am:
" Does this mean we have to euthanize our pets? My dog breathes out CO2 all day and night, which apparently makes him an environmental criminal. However, the houseplants seem to like it, so I'm torn on making that "last trip" to the vet. "

 Dagny Taggart wrote on July 21, 2008 10:29 am:
" I second the motion to fire the people who spent our money conducting a study to tell us how we should adjust our lives to their standards. "

 Dwayne wrote on July 21, 2008 10:56 am:
" I think most of the CO2 emissions in Lincoln come from the Health Department. Maybe if they quit wasting their breath to speak, stopped wasting energy on these "studies" with my tax dollars and turned the lights out, they could reduce the laughable "carbon footprint" myth.

As a scientist, I am appalled at the lack of scientific method used in the Global Warming argument. Furthermore, politicians and bureaucrats grab hold of these shaky claims and use them to make themselves more "caring" about our health and well-being. Unfortunately, both Democrats and Republicans have taken big swigs of this Kool-Aid without actually knowing if Global Warming is factual.

How about the thousands of scientists that have evidence that Global Warming theory is a farce? Why discount them? Do they hate people and earth so much that they will prove the Global Warming champions wrong to kill us all? Makes no sense to me. All of this is a "do-gooder" trendy cause that makes people feel better about themselves irregardless if they are wrong. At least they "tried", right?

Meanwhile "pushers" of this flawed theory like Al Gore create "carbon footprints" from their mansions and private jets, all the while telling us that we are horrible people for living a normal life.

Maybe the Mayor should budget for every household in Lincoln to get a free Hybrid vehicle; after all, if our lives are in danger, it should be the least that our city would provide; safety from ourselves.

Dumb. "

 E Jr wrote on July 21, 2008 11:11 am:
" To Neo and other anti-tax posters: I see comments all the time about how taxes should be lowered or someone is using something as an excuse to raise our taxes. Are there any taxes you think are good? Are there any taxes that should be raised so that government can provide additional services? "

 Cleancaveman wrote on July 21, 2008 1:30 pm:
" Why in the world is ANYONE complaining about this? Do you people like living in a polluted world? Do you like breathing foul air? No...you just like to whine and complain about something; anything will do for you! The Health Department was tasked with this study; it isn't like they just got up one day and decided "hey' let's do a study! We got all kinds of cash and it's just tax payer's money anyway..." Let me say this again - THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS TOLD TO DO THIS STUDY. Now, whether or not you believe in global warming, carbon footprints and the like, the point is that everyone in this Nation could stand to save a little bit of energy and do their part to conserve resources and the environment that we live in. The Health Department (Big Brother to some of you...) isn't mandating that certain behaviors be banned. Rather, several good SUGGESTIONS were thrown out that everyone can practice to make this City, this State, this Nation, and yes, even this WORLD that we all live in a better place. So quit your fretting about extra taxes and the black helicoptors and get out there and ride your bike, plant a garden, paint a picture and generally just enjoy the fresh clean air we do have right now because the way I read it from your posts, we won't have much left in the future... "

 Neo wrote on July 21, 2008 3:29 pm:
" E Jr

You might be surprised at what taxes I feel are proper and well worth the money. Unlike most posters on here, you won't see me complain about the funds LPS gets (I bet that surprises you!).

But paying for studies on greenhouse gases in Lincoln is not one of them. How much was spent to find out that if we drive less we will reduce emissions? Sorry, I don't buy into the Al Gore terror story about the world coming to an end in 10 years. (Did you notice how when temperatures were below normal, they started calling it "climate change" instead of global warming?)

Next, the city will discourage any new business from coming into the city because they may increase greenhouse gases and then they will sit around and wonder why jobs are disappearing. "

 Another Scientist wrote on July 21, 2008 4:05 pm:
" Dwayne... have you ever seen a landfill?

SO WHAT if the theories of Global Warming and Carbon Footprints are wrong?

I think your "science" is just an excuse to keep whining, a reason to continue being selfish and lazy, and a weak cover for your fear of change.

I challenge "scientists" like you to prove to me how recycling, reducing carbon emissions, and encouraging sustainable practices and policies is BAD for the environment or any living thing on this planet.

Until you can do that, stop arguing about whether some "theory" is "wrong or right" and start cooperating with the rest of the world to make this a better place for everyone. "

 New to Lincoln wrote on July 21, 2008 4:07 pm:
" What gets me is Lincoln acutal has a "Air Quality Program Supervisor". Is this realy a cost effective use of Lincoln tax dollars ? "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 21, 2008 4:40 pm:
" This is not about wasting taxpayer monies. A key purpose of the Health Dept is to educate citizens about living better, healthier lives. Instead of educating on immunizing babies, washing your hands, or the like, this is about educating people on making the world a cleaner place to live.

Mrs. Outside the Box and I started recycling newspaper, aluminum, glass, plastics (1 & 2) and cardboard a few months ago. It's painfully simple: instead of tossing things in the trash, we toss them in an old milk crate in the garage. Once or twice a month, we take the milk crates to a city recycling drop-off center and put the things in the appropriate bin.

Including the price of gas we use to get to the recycling center, we probably spent about 50 cents a month, and the amount of trash we generate is easily cut in half. "

 Imagine That wrote on July 21, 2008 4:46 pm:
" Do you suppose the city will cut back on driving all of those city vehicles around every day or will they perhaps take up car pooling and all of the other great ideas they have for the general public.
Get new buses that are more inviromentally friendly or even a Oh yes they dont want an opinion from a taxpayer.Perhaps just perhaps if jobs in Lincoln paid people what they were worth they would not have to drive so far to get to a job in Omaha that pays better or they might even if they actually work in Lincoln they might live in town also if they could afford the taxes that you avoid by moving out of Lancaster county,ever increasing property tax,wheel tax just to name a couple.Come on Lincoln it's seems to be a no brainer pay people there worth and lower there taxes so can can afford to live there,raise a family and even feed and house them. "

 woe is us - what to do wrote on July 21, 2008 8:02 pm:
" Walk a little, ride your bike, skip work once in a while and stay home, grow your own food - eliminate meat, plant a tree every day, compost your sewage, line your house with large straw bales or a large dirt terrace, get rid of your pets, have no more than one child, eliminate baths and limit showers to two per month, hang your laundry outside on a line, hook your exercise bike to a generator to make your own electricity, use candles for lighting, install solar panels, and (if all else fails )duck-tape your mother-in-law. "

 Need more stats wrote on July 21, 2008 9:20 pm:
" The health dept has shown the increase in green house gases from 1990 to 2005, yet they do not report the human population increase. Lincoln's population increased 22.2% from 1990 to 2003. This is two years shorter than their data set. In addition, what about the number of pets in Lincoln? All animals exhale CO2. As the population increase so does the number of goods needed to sustain this increased population of humans and animals (food, heat, A/C, services, etc) and lack of improvement of mass transit. The shock factor of 46% increase is just that, a shock tactic. When you look at the per resident, it increased by 7.6%. You have to take into account the population, animals, and the state of mass transit system from 1990 to 2005. "

 sdm wrote on July 22, 2008 8:29 am:
" So why can't people go to the landfill and scrap, maybe if they were allowed we would reduce the amount of stuff in it and recycle all at the same time. Hell to make it easy only allow it for a few hours on Saturday or Sunday when they aren't moving the large bulldozers around. "

 Lindsay wrote on July 22, 2008 9:53 am:
" In the land of Straw Man arguments, I'm glad that Cleancaveman and a few others are out there to explain that whether or not you believe global warming is happening, isn't it a good idea to conserve our resources? "

 LOL wrote on July 22, 2008 12:08 pm:
" LOL too much. Stop wasting tax money on these ideas. CO2 is a natural substance, not a pollutant. Man has zero impact on global temperatures, most of the change is due to sunspot activity which has waned recently, coinciding with the REDUCTION in global temperatures the last decade. Sorry alarmists, find another thing to make up to get our tax money. "

 to Cleancaveman wrote on July 22, 2008 12:16 pm:
" Yes of course we dont like polluted air and water, however, CO2 is NOT a pollutant substance, it is a natural by-product expelled by the hot air the global warming crowd spews. If you are worried about ACTUAL pollutants then we can have a real discussion as nobody likes to see smog or smell horrible clouds coming out of poorly designed factories and autos.

The entire global warming debate is about socialism trying to get tax money. Use the issue that the world will end unless we "pay" for our sins against the world. Before you know it, the economy is back in the 1700s and people start to die at 30 years old because it is back on the farm without any modern inventions to make everyone's life better. Also the population will drop off dramatically, expecially in Africa because fertilizer will be banned and countries wtih a favorable climate cannot ship vast quantities of grain to help them out. But since CO2 is a pollutant to you, I guess a dramatic loss of world population will be great. "

 Grundle wrote on July 22, 2008 12:51 pm:
" Does this article state anywhere that you should make radical changes to your lifestyle...such as getting rid of pets and going completely vegetarian? NO! It simply states the facts and encourages using FEWER resources...the level to which you reduce your resource consumption is up to you. I have begun to drive less, and I bought a programmable thermostat for my apartment to keep the temp higher when I'm not around. I've made a point to turn out lights when not using them, and even begun to use less lamps in my apartment as I've found I don't need all that light. There are a lot of little steps that people can take that make a big difference. Even if you don't believe in global warming (I'm not totally sold on it myself) it's a good idea to cut your resource use just for your own monetary savings! No one is going to come and take your steak away or snuff out your dog...they're simply asking you to consider the changes you can make in your life that will benefit yourself and your fellow man. "

 Urban myth wrote on July 22, 2008 12:51 pm:
" And I'm paying these people FOR THIS? Glad to see my taxes are going for something usefull, like to perpetuate the global-warming urban myth-NOT! "

 more of the nanny state wrote on July 22, 2008 3:26 pm:
" Yes Grundle we all know you are a big supporter of the nanny state, more taxes, more rules, less personal liberty. Everyone is already aware that conversation is a better way to go, but why does the taxpayer have to fund a study looking into a hoax? It is up to the individual to determine how they live their own lives, not the government. I do not want government nannies deciding what light bulbs I buy, what kind of car I drive, or anything else for that matter. Unless you get China and India to stop polluting anything Lincoln does is completely meaningless. "

 mr. lincoln wrote on July 22, 2008 5:50 pm:
" Nanny state? Sins against the environment? A supervisor at the Health Dept. to monitor the program is a waste of money? What in the heck? I personally enjoy Lincoln's good air quality. So, thanks to the Health Dept. for helping to make that happen and keeping it that way. I also like the idea of saving money, which in fact often means conserving resources and using common sense. I don't see much common sense in many of these comments though. I do see a number of individuals lost in the rhetoric of fanaticism. It's the typical, childish rants from those that do not see the big picture. The fact that humans are impacting the environment is nothing new. The fact that we can collectively and individually change our behavior to improve our health and put money in our wallets is not rocket science either. I think some of these folks would learn something by going to Mexico or Africa or other such third world nations where they do not enjoy the quality of life that we find here in Lincoln and the states. My grandparents (also lifelong Nebraskans, farmers and good people) taught me many things about being good stewards of the land, being frugal, and being smart. If the Health Dept. has organized facts through a study that can help my family live smarter and live longer by providing a environment free of pollution, I'm all for it. That's what global warming is afterall, it's a pollution and conservation issue that has finally made it's way to the forefront. In these tough economic times, I'm thrilled as a lifelong Lincoln resident to see our local government working to make our lives better. Thank you, to Rick Thorson, Renae Rief, and Scott Holmes. I look forward to hearing more and teaching my children some common sense. Many of you could use some. "

 Time for a change wrote on July 22, 2008 6:37 pm:
" All those over the age of 40 should not be critics of this information. Because it is me (19 years old) and much of the next generation that is going to have to deal with all the crap you guys have put this planet through. Our generation is finally turning the corner on environmental education/practice so the rest of you should just take a seat and watch as we change this world. Stop continuting to turn this planet into a huge garbage dump like you have during your lifetime and try to help. If you don't wish to, I'm sure by the time my generation enters the senate, White House, Supreme Court, etc., we'll have a nice 6x10 windowless room you can sit out the rest of your life. "

 Jan wrote on July 22, 2008 9:44 pm:
" What is wrong with some of you people? A story about conservation and reducing your carbon footprint; and we get riding donkeys down O street, raising taxes, and global warming hoaxes. To the nut who doesn't want the government telling him anything; there are lots of places in the world you can move to that don't have a stable government. It's just me but I don't think you will be happy their either. "

 Lincolnwatcher wrote on July 22, 2008 10:27 pm:
" When Boone Pickens, Al Gore and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry all call for an effort on the scale of putting a man on the moon to address climate change, you have to know that across the political spectrum, thoughtful people are recognizing that change must come. I'm glad our Health Department is taking this leadership. Scientists--the real ones-- have warned us about the effects likely unless we change. We better get busy. "

 nemo wrote on July 22, 2008 11:17 pm:
" I live in Seward where no one is around to tell us how much co2 we produce so we just go ahead and go to Lincoln (some of us go every day) and leave it all there. Wonder exactly how many people from outside Lincoln are driving around your city every day producing all their nasty green house gasses, oops excuse me. "

 We can do it wrote on July 28, 2008 12:17 pm:
" I tend to agree that a carbon footprint should be looked at to some extent. But not to the extent which we drive more cars and pickups around town conducting surveys releasing more co2 and consuming more gas.

What we should be doing as citizens is doing our part reduce our waste. Recently I read our landfill is going to fill up much quicker than orginally budgeted. That said maybe we should be proactive and start recycling more?

There are several local collection options in place. The Journal has recycling.
The new one RecycleBank, rewards participants for recycling. From what i saw on the news it looks like a good way to reduce my footprint and increase my savings at the store. I just moved to town and i am going to signup.

Both recycling options collect the recyclables in one truck and elimiates the need for all 100,000 + of us driving to the drop offs.

Lets do our part. "

 We Can Do It wrote on July 28, 2008 1:07 pm:
" Do we need to look at our footprint or do we just need to realize what we are doing.

I haven't been in Lincoln long and I come to these blogs to get an understanding of what the city is all about. I have learned a little and am quite surprised on a few things.

Relating to this article the biggest thing Lincoln doesn't do is recycle well. I am from the east coast and have traveled up and down the west. Why is the midwest so far behind on recycling???

30+ recycling drop off sites. There's a start in your carbon quest.
Omaha has about 350,000 people and only 4 sites.

Why does a city of this size have 30+ drop offs and very limited curbside collection.

I seen a recent article where a new recycling company came to town, RecycleBank. What a good idea to reduce the footprint everyone talks about. Plus get rewards and discounts

I went to
www.recyclebank.com, you can see how many trees and gallons of oil saved by recycling. I bet that did not cost too much to make that calucation.

For $8 a month that is great. I paid $20 for recycling back east and didn't get anything but a small tub. Here i get a cart. "

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