Despite the recent rain, Princeton is still under a drought warning after experiencing five months of severe drought. This historically low rate of precipitation is an undeniable indication that climate change isn’t coming; it’s already here. How did this happen? The main driver of global warming is greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂) from burning fossil fuels—which trap heat in the atmosphere, disrupting weather patterns, melting ice caps, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like life-threatening droughts, floods, and hurricanes.
It is easy to feel powerless when heavy rain events flood our roads to the point that Princetonians are cut off from the hospital just across Route 1, or when extreme drought necessitates severe water rationing. The good news is there are tangible actions, both big and small, we can take to have a positive impact. A first step in combating climate change is measuring our own personal carbon footprint. With this knowledge we can cut our carbon emissions by conserving energy, using renewable energy sources, and adopting sustainable practices. This helps protect ecosystems, stabilize climate systems, and create a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.
HOUSEHOLD AND PROPERTY DECISIONS
The average Princeton household generates the whopping equivalent of nearly sixty tons of CO2 emissions each year. According to Princeton’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory from 3/30/2018, Princeton’s electricity uses account for twenty-four percent of our community’s GHG emissions. Creating a tight building envelope is vital in reducing energy usage. There are big-ticket items like proper insulation and double (or even triple) glazed windows that may not be in the picture for you right now, but even making sure your window and door frames are caulked and that weatherstripping is creating a tight seal will make a difference. Eligible low-income households in NJ can apply to the Weatherization Assistance Program to receive free weatherization services.
For expert recommendations on ways to reduce your energy usage, consider having a home energy audit. It can not only reduce your carbon footprint but also save you up to thirty percent on your energy bills! The Municipality of Princeton’s home energy audit campaign offers Princeton residents a discounted rate on a thorough, three-hour audit by a contractor certified by the Building and Performance Institute (BPI). Another option is PSE&G’s Quick Home Energy Check-up, a free, one-hour visit by a BPI-certified professional to identify areas of energy-saving improvements and relevant incentive programs. Even if you are unable to act on your audit immediately, the information will allow you to plan ahead and make educated decisions over the life of your property.
So many people want to do the right thing for the environment when building or renovating a home or buying an appliance but feel overwhelmed navigating the available choices. Technology is changing at a fast pace. What was not a great option even five years ago is often now a worthwhile investment — think air-source heat pumps for colder climates and induction stovetops. It is important to deal with knowledgeable contractors, designers and store personnel. For some serious inspiration check out best practices from the sustainable homes on Princeton’s Green House Tours. This annual event is co-hosted by the Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton to showcase how some of our fellow Princetonians created healthier and more energy-efficient homes. Learn about past tours and get updates for the fall 2025 tour here. The website also connects you to virtual tours through seven of the homes featured in the past two years. These videos are informative, fun to watch, and just might include someone you know! The 2024 Green House Tour also presented a panel discussion of tour hosts and experts in the green building field which included great information on rebates and incentives. It is available to watch here.
Developers applying for approval for major developments or major subdivisions are required to fill out Princeton’s Green Development Checklist, a questionnaire used to promote environmental sustainability and resilience in our community. The Princeton Environmental Commission is preparing a companion guide which explains why the various recommended measures are beneficial. This will be available in the coming months on the PEC website and at the Princeton Planning Department as a resource for anyone looking to understand sustainable building practices.
The extreme value of mature trees which absorb stormwater, cool ambient air temperature, provide shade for our homes and store carbon dioxide while releasing beneficial oxygen cannot be overstated. A single mature tree alone can absorb over forty-eight pounds of CO2 annually. In addition to their carbon-sequestering superpowers, The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that positioning just three trees strategically can reduce a household’s energy bills by $100 to $250 per year, lowering overall energy use by up to twenty-five percent. Princeton is planning a Miyawaki Forest at Quarry Park, right next to the affordable senior housing. The 1,250 trees and 250 shrubs will cool and clean the surrounding air and provide stormwater management as a bonus.
AN EDIBLE MINDSET
Food Scraps are the single largest component in the Municipal Solid Waste stream. This is significant because food breakdown in a landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas twenty times more damaging than CO2. The average NJ household sends 4,940 pounds to the landfill – that’s a lot of gas! According to the EPA, about forty-two percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are associated with foods and goods — the energy used to produce, process, transport and dispose of our products. What can you do? Plan weekly menus so that you only buy what you need and store it properly. If you don’t compost at home, join the Municipal Food Scrap program. It’s easy to collect the scraps in your kitchen and drop them off at one of the compost sheds in town, with more locations to be added in the near future.
WEARABLE CHANGES
We own more clothes and wear them less than we used to. Fifteen years ago, our wardrobes were simpler and more sustainable. Our participation, by the purchase and disposal of clothing, in the fast fashion industry has an enormous carbon impact. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, “it is the second biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about ten percent of global carbon emissions — more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.” To make matters worse, nearly sixty percent of clothing is made from nylon, acrylic, or polyester, which are plastics derived from the fossil fuel industry. Only one percent of textiles are recycled; eighty-seven percent ends up being buried or burned (giving off carbon dioxide and microplastics).
When you are about to purchase something apply a sustainability lens to the decision by asking yourself, do I really need this? Can I borrow it via Sustainable Princeton’s Lending Library or find it for free on my local Buy Nothing Project? Can I buy it second hand from one of Princeton’s many secondhand stores? Can I repair my existing item? If I do decide to purchase something new, is it durable? Where is it coming from (local is better)? Can it be recycled at the end of its life? Speaking of recycling, breaking news: starting in 2025 Mercer County will accept #5 plastics in your recycle bin. Check here for more information on what is accepted in Princeton.
TRAVELING CONSCIENTOUSLY
Transportation constitutes about one-third of Princeton’s GHG emissions (Princeton GHG Inventory). One of Princeton’s many selling points is that it has a walkable town center and if you know how to navigate it, you don’t really need a car to get around. In addition to the connected network of low-traffic bike boulevards, Princeton has two shuttle systems, the Muni Bus and Princeton University’s Tiger Transit, that are free and open to the public. Yes! Anyone can ride Tiger Transit’s free, all-electric fleet! You can plan trips, check schedules, and get real time updates on bus arrivals for both services with the Tripshot App and a printable schedule and information for the MuniBus. Tiger Transit destinations include Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Princeton Medical Center, Princeton Junction, and many other locations.
PSEG is transitioning to zero-carbon electricity generation in its goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2030 across its natural gas and electricity energy production. As we increasingly move to all-electric homes, we help lower our community’s carbon footprint, as well as our own. Whether you are planning to make a big or small intervention to reduce your carbon footprint, we are fortunate to live in Princeton, where we have a number of organizations dedicated to helping us live sustainably, protect our environment, and combat climate change. We hate to differ with Kermit the Frog, but sometimes it’s easy being green!
Resources:
Princeton Environmental Commission
Princeton’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory and updated Climate Action Plan
Sustainable Princeton
Board of Public Utilities
Alexandra Bar-Cohen moved to Princeton in 2000 so that she and her husband could raise their kids in a walkable town with a vibrant center. She holds a MALS from Dartmouth College, has served on the board of Sustainable Princeton, and is currently a member of the Princeton Environmental Commission.
Lisa Marcus Levine received her Master of Architecture degree from the School of Architecture and Planning, SUNY@Buffalo. She then moved with her husband to downtown Princeton, where they have raised their family. Lisa has been a member of the Princeton Environmental Commission for more years than she can remember.The Princeton Environmental Commission (PEC) works collaboratively to advise and educate local government, businesses, and residents on environmental issues, laws, and programs by drafting and amending ordinances, inventorying and advocating for the preservation of open spaces and responding to the public regarding local environmental concerns.