Monday, January 14, 2008

Setting Priorities: Which Activities Have The Most Impact?

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists' Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, the following consumer activities are the most harmful to the environment:

Cars and light trucks
Meat and poultry
Fruit, vegetables, and grain
Home heating, hot water, and air-conditioning
Household appliances and lighting
Home construction
Household water and sewage

The Union analyzes the impact of each of these activities on global warming, air and water pollution, and habitat alteration.

Looking at the environmental impact per household on global warming:
32% can be attributed to transportation
35% to household operations
12% to food

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