Recommended STEPS AND Services

1. Switch to Renewable Energy

Utility Green Power Programs

One of the simplest, most powerful things you can do to slash your footprint is to switch your home electricity to a renewable source (usually solar or wind) via a program your utility offers. This is available in most states and if it isn’t or you don’t control your utility bill, see RECs section below. It often takes less than 10 minutes and you’re done until you move next. For extra points, look into rooftop solar via Electrum.

Investigate Rooftop Solar

A fantastic way to slash your footprint and make some money is to get rooftop solar. Add a battery and you're also more prepared for emergencies. We highly recommend Electrum as they make it easy and ensure you get the best pricing and high quality work (mention The Carbonauts!). With minimal effort, their people and technology will get you a full understanding of all your options. Your monthly bill is often less, even with “no money down” financing! In other words, rooftop solar is an absolute no-brainer from a financial and environmental perspective.

2. Drive an Electric Vehicle (EV)

We recommend buying or leasing a new or ideally used EV.   One low committal and fairly priced way to do this is in LA is to lease one for 3, 6 or 9 months via JoinBorrow. You could also rent one for a few days or more via Turo in many places around the world. To buy or lease, use one of the many large car websites (Autotrader, Edmunds, KBB etc..) or go directly to a brand (Tesla, Fiat, Volvo, Chevy etc..).   Have a lease that you'd need to get out of? Talk to your dealer about getting out of it or try SwapaLease or LeaseTrader.

3. Plant Rich Diet & Food Waste

For compost pickup in many LA locations, see CompostableLA. For drop-off, try LA Compost. For composting locations elsewhere in the U.S., have a look here.

4. Optimizing Flying

If you can't avoid a flight then head to SkyScanner, run a search and select the "Greener Flights" box on the lower left column in order to find the lowest footprint flight. Try to fly direct and in economy. We recommend buying offsets for your flights on a yearly basis as part of your entire footprint calculation. We have a special arrangement with Terrapass where we can offer you select high quality offsets at reduced pricing.

5. Buy Offsets

Once you've focused on reducing your footprint, consider buying offsets to take you partway or fully into carbon positive territory. Calculate your reduced footprint via the Cool Climate Calculator and then buy the select offsets at reduced pricing that we are able to offer you. In an ideal world, we recommend buying offsets that are as local as possible and focused on either methane capture, urban forestry, refrigerant destruction or fertilizer management.

6. Social Norms & Influencing Others

Perhaps equally important to slashing your own footprint is influencing others to do the same. To help you share your journey and promote the ideas and tools that can help others on theirs.