Ken Dunn—the Tribune's pick for the "Chicagoan with the lowest carbon footprint"—doesn't own a solar home, nor does he have wind turbines on his roof. He lives on the top floor of a two-flat in Hyde Park, where he dries his laundry on a line, heats his home with a wood-burning stove, grows vegetables in his backyard, and bikes to work...
Dunn is the Director of Chicago's Resource Center, a non-profit that provides recycling programs, urban gardening, and environmental education for city residents. When the Tribune calculated the carbon footprint of a cross-section of environmental activists, Dunn averaged 3,800 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, almost half as much as the runner-up and about 10 times less than the average American.
Although carbon footprint isn't the only method of gauging greenness, it gives a sense of the most successful strategies for reducing one's environmental impact. In most cases, implementing small, simple strategies produces better results than expensive options like solar and wind power. For instance, Ken keeps his carbon footprint low by living without air conditioning, keeping heating costs down, composting and recycling, avoiding air travel, and generally limiting his consumption. To read the entire profile on Ken and other Chicago greenies, click here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Wouldn't a homeless person potentially qualify for having the lowest carbon footprint?
view medenver's profile
I thought the same thing, medenver!
view Claire K's profile
Give me a break!
Medenver's comment is right on point. So are dozens of other unemployed people who eat recycled foods at soup kitchens that they must walk to and live on boxes or tents. Perhaps this guy is the greenest Director of a non-profit that provides recycling programs, urban gardening, and environmental education for city residents... But, that's about it!
view quiltmaster's profile
"For instance, Ken keeps his carbon footprint low by living without air conditioning, keeping heating costs down, composting and recycling, avoiding air travel, and generally limiting his consumption"
I never knew my family was so environmentally conscious, I just thought they were rednecks. =D
view JosieDaisy's profile
That's 70% of South America, right there
Where's our award?
view La loca's profile
Oh god, please tell me poverty is in and chic again. My poor-ass can finally stop feeling low about being forced into a green lifestyle instead of adopting it.
view somedudeinvicenza's profile
Hey now.. why so cynical everyone? the article is just trying to highlight people that really "walk the talk" on sustainability and live a lifestyle that is aligned with their values.. is that so bad?
view jaane80's profile
Apparently he keeps doing laundry down to a minimum as well.
view hejiranyc's profile