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What do I do every day that creates the most greenhouse gas emissions?

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	Probably your most greenhouse-gas-intense activities involve your home and transportation, both of which contribute enormously to the combustion of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). In your home and your workplace, you use lots of electricity. Electrical generation represents almost 40% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, most of it the result of burning coal. Kansas, for example, derives almost 75% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants. To get to and from home and work, plus the grocery store and all those places in between, you probably drive. Driving consumes gasoline. The transportation sector is the second largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, coming in at 27%. More specifically, how do you create these emissions? Check out our Take Steps section for answers on how to reduce your carbon footprint. Or you might want to read what National Geographic has to say, in their Green Guide. The average home produces twice the amount of greenhouse gases as does the average car. The ACEEE lists which appliances in your home draw the most energy (measured in watts): Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts Clock radio = 10 Coffee maker = 900–1200 Clothes washer = 350–500 Clothes dryer = 1800–5000 Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption) Dehumidifier = 785 Electric blanket- Single/Double = 60 / 100 Fans Ceiling = 65–175 Window = 55–250 Furnace = 750 Whole house = 240–750 Hair dryer = 1200–1875 Heater (portable) = 750–1500 Clothes iron = 1000–1800 Microwave oven = 750–1100 Personal computer CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less Laptop = 50 Radio (stereo) = 70–400 Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725 Televisions (color) 19" = 65–110 27" = 113 36" = 133 53"-61" Projection = 170 Flat screen = 120 Toaster = 800–1400 Toaster oven = 1225 VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25 Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440 Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500 Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100 Water bed (with heater, no cover) = 120–380
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