About this project

What is this project?

We're asking readers to join a monthlong challenge in May to reduce their personal contribution to greenhouses gases by at least 15 percent.

Throughout May on seattletimes.com/climatechallenge you'll find:

• A calculator to determine how many pounds of greenhouse gases you and your family are responsible for now.
• Tips for reducing your personal carbon footprint
• Links to stories about climate change
• A forum for participants in the challenge
• Q&As with experts about global warming and ways to mitigate it
• Blogs by people trying to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Why are you doing it?

We've written a lot about the science of climate change and the potential impacts of global warming. But those stories often leave readers wondering how they can help solve the problem. The Seattle Times Climate Challenge is a way to show what individuals can do to reduce the emissions that scientists say contribute to global warming. We also hope that by participating, readers will see firsthand what it takes to make the changes needed to cut their carbon footprints.

Where did the 15 percent reduction figure come from?

We wanted a goal that's attainable but requires some effort to achieve. We also wanted a goal that could make a difference. If the Puget Sound region reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent, that could keep 15.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, based on 2000 emission figures. That's like taking 1.3 million cars off the road.

What is The Seattle Times doing to address this problem?

The Seattle Times Company practices recycling. All newspaper waste is reused, and ink, office paper, cardboard, printing plates, silver film and oil from presses and delivery trucks are recycled. About 70 percent of the newsprint the company uses contains material from recycled newspapers. The rest is made of pulp from sawmill chips. No trees are harvested to make the newsprint.