What is Global Warming?

In very simple terms, Global Warming describes the measured increase in the Earth's air and ocean temperatures. Natural events, such as volcanic eruptions and solar variation, may cause fluctuations in world temperatures, but the world's climate scientists (the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change or IPCC) have reached consensus that mankind is responsible for the dramatic increase in temperature.

The IPCC attributes the phenomenon to the rise in "greenhouse gases" (chiefly C02), byproducts of industrialization. These greenhouse gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere, heating up the planet. The white polar icecaps serve to reflect sunlight back toward space, but as they melt and diminish, their cooling power is likewise diminished. As freshwater moves from icecaps to the ocean, there will likely be disruption to the world's ocean currents (and hence world weather patterns) as the ocean's salt content is diluted.

The IPCC asserts that some negative effects of Global Warming will be inevitable, but if decisive actions are taken, and taken quickly, the worst scenarios can be abated.

Why Should I Care About Global Warming?

Climate scientists project that our planet's temperature will continue to rise, and that these increases will have dramatic effects on the planet. These effects include melting of glaciers, polar icecaps, and permafrost; destruction of coral reefs; disruption of the ocean's food-chain; intense flooding and draught; and a rise in sea level.

If the current trends in sea level rise at their current constant rate, we can expect a 3-foot rise in sea level by 2100. However, many scientists believe that the seas will rise faster and higher than predicted.

My lifestyle really isn't adding to the problem...is it?

If you're an American, the answer, sadly, is yes. The United States is the heaviest polluting nation on earth. Not only does your car produce C02 but the power you consume in your home, goods that you purchase at the store, and even some of your lifestyle choices add up to create your personal "carbon footprint."

Cell phones, for instance may appear completely innocuous, but they have both "upstream" and "downstream" impact to the planet, both in terms of carbon use and other pollution aspects. That cell also has "embodied energy" that must be taken into account.

I drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, isn't that enough?

Americans drive more than any other country. Even the "low-emission" hybrid Toyota Prius releases, on average, 4 tons of CO2 gas into the atmosphere every year. A V-8 Mercedes station wagon releases 13 tons of C02 yearly. The larger and more powerful your car's engine is, the more greenhouse gas it emits.

How big is a pound of C02? A ton of C02?

If you think of C02, a gas, as being trapped in a balloon, a balloon 2.5 feet wide would be required to contain that much gas. The average American (man, woman and child) generates about 47 of these balloons per day, enough to fill your living room. A ton of C02 is roughly the volume of an entire 3-bedroom house.

The average American contributes approximately 7.8 tons of C02 per year just driving a car and powering a home. This is roughly the weight of two elephants.

Is it possible to be a city dweller and still live a "green" life?

Yes. Being a city dweller can actually help you to live a green life. Because so many aspects of your life are available nearby, you can use their proximity to save time, money, and carbon output.

It seems to me that living "green" is going to cost a lot of "green."

This is not true. While it's true that some "green" items cost more than "non-green" items, green living will actually save you a lot of money in the long run. For instance, downgrading to a smaller car with a 4-cylindar engine will save you gas money, insurance expense, and carbon output. Simplifying your life, you will naturally spend less money. And your choice of consumer products may emphasize quality over quantity, thus saving you money in the long run.

The Going Green Today program will not advise any purchases in your customized plan unless they are:
1. In your budget
2. Provide extensive savings, even with the initial cost
3. You were going to spend the money anyway, like on a new car or remodel

Is this all just a pipe dream?

Not at all. We want a clean, inhabitable, functioning planet for our children and their children to come. We do not want subsequent generations to remember us as the generation that dropped the ball or looked the other way. If our goal of 120 million people is met - just one person at a time - profound changes will occur. Dreams are only dreams until one takes action. Then they become reality.

What is Going Green Today?

Going Green Today is a personalized, custom assessment of your lifestyle's impact on the planet. The result of the assessment is a simple action plan to follow so that you can reduce your footprint by at least of 35%.

First, participants input information about their habits and lifestyle (don't worry, it's confidential!). Then, using our technology and expertise, we provide a customized action plan that may be implemented over 30, 60 or 90 days. Once you have completely implemented the action plan, you will have cut your personal footprint by a minimum of 35%.

We will also provide an online coaching presence to support you in the simplification process.

How long will my Lifestyle Assessment take?

Once you have gathered the information needed for the lifestyle assessment, it may take about a half-hour or so to complete.

Do you measure our waste stream or carbon footprint?

No. Since you found us, we assume you know that your footprint is too large. ¦Your current levels of consumption are a moot point. We will focus on where to go from where you are to where you want to be, as far as limiting your waste stream.

How much money will I save?

The amount of money you save will depend on the program you choose, and if you stick with it. We calculate your savings based on the actions you will need to take. If these action steps are part of the lifestyle changes you feel comfortable with you will begin to see savings immediately with the greatest savings being cumulative over the course of your action plan. We have seen a savings of up to $2000 per year using this program.

How much does it cost?

The cost to complete the custom assessment and going green today action plan is a one time fee of $29.00. With that purchase you also get:

An online profile page that you can continually update and monitor your progress

Online coaching and support

Daily emails from our "Green Coach"

As for on-going costs, our program allows you to choose a program with no cost, low cost or investment level actions.

What do you do with the money?

Going Green Today gives 50% of every sign-up fee to one of five organizations that are on the front line of combating global warming. You get to select which one gets your contribution. The other 50% goes toward our operating costs.

Will it work?

Yes. Going Green Today is designed to make an accurate assessment of your carbon footprint. All of the suggested courses of action in each action plan have been proven effective in reducing pollution and resource consumption.

Will I have to change my whole life in order to "go green"?

No. There are a lot of areas in your life that are just fine. Going Green Today looks at those areas of your life that will be easiest to change and that will make the most difference.

Do I have to be perfect at this to make a difference?

No. A perfect green life is almost impossible to have in our modern world. We believe it is unrealistic to think so. We simply ask that you do the best you can a little bit at a time over a few months. That's what this program is all about, a series of tiny steps that added together make a large change over a defined period of time and with an achievable green goal.

Glossary and Specific Terms

Carbon Footprint

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Every human has a carbon footprint.

Coaching

Going Green Today defines coaching as supplying the three S's: structure, strategy and support.

We will help structure the best plan for you, and strategize the best way to implement it. Then we will send you supportive email reminders that provide the encouragement that most of us need when making changes. Your account on the Going Green Today website will also reflect our customized coaching approach. For instance, if you're leaving town for a few weeks, you can set your account preferences to suspend the program for a fixed amount of time, much as you would suspend delivery of the newspaper.

Customized

For the purposes of this program, customized refers to using the data you provide, assessing your specific impact and calculating it for you to create an individualized plan.

Each of our lifestyles is different. Some of us have children, some are single, some rent apartments, and some own homes. Others work from home, travel more then others, won't give up long showers but might buy natural detergent. /With the lifestyle assessment, we figure out those areas you can and want to change and then we create a plan tailored for you to get the results we need.

Embodied Energy

For the purposes of this program, it is a term to describe the energy and resources that goes into making and getting a product to you. So, an electric hybrid might have a low MPG but depending on how it was made and what it was manufactured from, it might have a very high "embodied energy". Finding the right level of embodied energy, while shopping, for the task at hand is a good habit to consider.

Upstream / Downstream

Upstream is what it takes to make and use a product. Downstream is what happens when it is thrown away.

Wastestream

In very simple terms a waste stream is the energy it takes to make a product and the pollution it causes when it is thrown away. It is the adding together of how something is made, used, and discarded. Much of what we use is largely based on unsustainable systems, yet when we become aware of this, we can make a difference by having new choices.