How the Energy We Use Affects Climate Change
In order to create energy, a fuel source is needed. The energy we use to power our cars and homes is created through the burning of fossil fuels (the majority of it, at least: In 2020, the share of renewables in global electricity generation jumped to 29%). Whether it’s coal, oil, natural gas, wood or one of the many other substances we take from the earth to create power, we are emitting pollution. At the end of the day, our energy usage is directly contributing to climate change, pumping the atmosphere full of CO2 gas and directly affecting the balance of our planet. Temperatures are hotter and weather more unstable.
One result? Energy insecurity. More energy is needed to heat and cool homes, and extreme weather puts an even greater strain on our existing systems. More and more people are unable to afford their energy bills and are, as a result, living without reliable energy sources. It’s a cycle, and a bad one.
In fact, the World Meteorological Organization puts it best when they say, “The intertwined energy and climate crises have dramatically exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of an economic system heavily reliant on fossil fuels.”
So, what can we do about it? And how can we meet the increasing demands of a growing global population while still somehow meeting net-zero goals?
Let’s talk about it.
Energy and Supply Chain
The world is still reeling from supply chain backups caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, something that began three years ago. That’s a substantial recovery period—one that hasn’t even ended yet. Supply chain is an intrinsic part of the economy, one that affects how we access goods and services, and energy is no exception.
Calculating your home’s energy usage may seem like it’s a relatively straightforward process. You look at your energy bill, calculate how much power you’re using at home, and voila – you know the impact you have. Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. Things get complicated when you begin to calculate the additional carbon footprint of the supply chain. How did that energy get to your home? What about the energy needed for the other products and services (like water, gas, and Amazon packages) brought to your home every day?
According to the European Environment Agency, energy generation in Europe is responsible for around 40% of all emissions. In the United States, 20% of emissions are due to residential energy alone. Together, Latin America and the Caribbean contribute less than 10% to global emissions (most of this coming from the energy sector). The rapid growth of economies throughout Asia-Pacific led to a 52% contribution to global emissions in 2020.
When we calculate indirect emissions caused by the supply chains involved in the consumption of all products and services, these numbers understandably skyrocket. In fact, “the total carbon footprint of households rises to 60% of global emissions on average, with variations from 40% in Japan or China to 80% in the [United States]” (OpenMind BBVA).
To power our lives, a lot of energy is needed, and we need to be smarter about how we access and utilize this power. But how?
Solutions
Understanding the part you play
To make a positive change, we first have to understand our current circumstances. How much energy do you use in a day? A month? Calculate your own individual carbon footprint (visit the MetLife Carbon Action Teams platform to access a fast, easy, and free measuring tool) and the footprint of your home. What about your office? Your company?
Once you have these answers, you can begin taking action to reduce the size of your footprint.
Need suggestions and motivation? Consider joining the United Nation’s Act Now campaign. Learn how you, as an individual, can be bold and make a difference for the planet.
Prioritizing Renewable Energy
Renewable energy generates electricity without the negative effects of fossil fuels. Solar and wind energy are the most common, but other forms like hydroelectric (water) and geothermal (heat) are also used in various contexts and locations around the world. By prioritizing renewable energy, we reduce our alliance on fossil fuels.
It’s not a new idea. You’ve heard it before. But what can you do at home?
- Vote with knowledge. Educate yourself on renewable energy and infrastructure transitions proposed where you live; especially those that may be on the next ballot!
- Consider investing in solar panels for your home. Go in with neighbors to split the cost and generate even more power. You can sell the extra energy created back to the grid to offset other monthly costs.
- Talk about it. The more renewable energy becomes part of our day-to-day conversations, the more normalized and expected it will become. Remember: our voices are louder together.
Now that you’ve thought about your personal emissions and how to make changes, are you curious about MetLife? You can find our global emissions reported in our annual Sustainability Report.
We report on our Scope 1 emissions (fuel used at our offices and through our fleet), our Scope 2 emissions (electricity usage), and Scope 3 emissions (employee business travel). Between 2020 and 2021, MetLife reduced GHG emissions by 21% (in part due to reductions in business travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
We have a goal to be Net Zero by 2050 for our global operations and General Account investments. In the Sustainability Report, we share some of the ways we are working to reduce emissions, but we’re always looking for more innovative ideas.
What can you do at home and at work to reduce your energy usage and carbon footprint? Share your thoughts and ideas with coworkers; how can you make your daily office life more efficient and less wasteful?
Have a good idea? Share it with all of us on Yammer!
Join the fun!
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