What is Net Zero?
We need to have a common understanding of “net zero” if we are to achieve it. In simple terms, it means eliminating fossil fuels. That’s a useful first approximation, but it omits some important details. We want our communities to produce zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Activities that produce emissions:
- Burning gasoline in cars and buses
- Burning natural gas in a boiler room
- Burning natural gas to heat a swimming pool
- Buying electricity from a power plant that burns something to produce electricity
- Are you seeing a trend? We need to stop burning stuff. 🔥
The ultimate goal is to achieve a balance where the net effect on the climate is neutral, thereby halting the progression of global warming (why it’s so important!) Another way to talk about “net zero” is “a carbon footprint of zero.” You might say, “Our senior living community has a carbon footprint that equals “0” thus, we have achieved our goal!”
For some communities, there will be a few fossil fuel uses that linger on indefinitely. An example might be an outdoor propane grill or a rarely-used emergency gasoline generator. To compensate for these small uses, “carbon offsets” will need to be used. If the offsets compensate completely for the fossil fuel uses, then net zero is achieved.
