Your Voices Matter: How Horton Hears a Who Teaches Us the Importance of Making a Difference

At Helio GreenTech, we believe that every individual can make a difference in addressing climate change. This idea is exemplified in the classic children's book "Horton Hears a Who!" by Dr. Seuss.

In the story, Horton the elephant hears a tiny voice coming from a speck of dust. The voice belongs to the Whos, a tiny community of people living on the speck. Horton discovers that the Whos are in danger of being destroyed, and he vows to protect them.

Despite being ridiculed and dismissed by the other animals, Horton perseveres in his mission to save the Whos. Eventually, the other animals hear the Whos' voices and come to realize that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

Similarly, each of us has a role to play in addressing climate change. While some may feel that their individual actions are insignificant, the collective impact of millions of individuals making conscious choices can have a significant effect.

Switching to solar energy is one way that individuals can make a difference. By installing solar panels on their homes or small businesses, individuals can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and decrease their carbon footprint.

But even small changes can make a difference. Using energy-efficient appliances, driving less, and reducing meat consumption are all actions that can have a positive impact on the environment.

At Helio GreenTech, we believe that everyone matters in making a difference. Just as Horton recognized the importance of the tiny community on the speck of dust, we recognize the importance of each individual in creating a sustainable future for our planet.

So, whether you're an individual looking to make a change or a business seeking to reduce your carbon footprint, Helio GreenTech is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how you can make a difference and join the movement towards a greener future.

With growing awareness of the consequences of our actions on the environment, more and more individuals are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. But how much impact can one person really have on climate change?

Often times we hear about how corporations are responsible for most carbon emissions. Though Science Direct dives into that a little deeper and estimates that it’s actually household consumption that contributes up to 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This takes transportation, and consumptoin into account, other studies seperate corperations from household consumerism. So when the Guardian states that “Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions” It’s saying that Amazon is responsible for the emissions of household consumerism and not the households ordering their toilet paper online. So we argue that household behavior is an essential component in climate policies, especially in high income countries such as the United States.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2019, Missouri was responsible for approximately 1.5% of total US greenhouse gas emissions, while Kansas was responsible for approximately 1.1%. This may not seem like a very high percentage, but it all adds up. And it’s going to take all of us working together to make a difference. Just like Horton, a person is a person, no matter how small your energy usage may seem, it will take all of us, “every last one.”

What Can I do to Make a Difference?

Switching to solar is one of the most impactful steps an individual can take towards reducing their carbon footprint. By harnessing the power of the sun, solar energy offers a clean, renewable alternative to fossil fuels that emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a typical residential solar panel system can offset an average of 3-4 tons of carbon emissions each year, which is equivalent to planting over 100 trees annually.

While switching to solar is a significant step, there are other changes individuals can make in their daily lives that can also have a positive impact on climate change. Reducing meat consumption, shipping your Amazon purchases in one box instead of nine, for example, can significantly reduce an individual's carbon footprint. The production and transportation of meat requires a large amount of energy and resources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, according to the United Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector combined.

According to Amazon's 2020 sustainability report, the company's carbon emissions were 60.64 million metric tons in 2019. This is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of 13 million cars.

In terms of the comparison between the emissions from Amazon's operations and the emissions from individuals driving to make purchases, it depends on a variety of factors, such as the distance individuals have to travel, the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, and the frequency of their trips. However, overall, it is believed that the carbon emissions from e-commerce are lower than those from traditional brick-and-mortar retail due to the more efficient supply chain and reduced transportation needs. Honestly, this is something that we have a hard time believing at Helio GreenTech and while we are open to the possibility that this is accurate, we are somewhat skeptical that this is easily to calculate accurately when taking into consideration how it’s affected modern consumerism.

While e-commerce may have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional retail, it still contributes to carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. This is why it's essential for companies like Amazon to focus on sustainability efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and other environmental impacts. It's also important for individuals to make conscious choices about their purchasing habits and consider the environmental impact of their actions. We will have to write another post about cardboard and recycling practices another time.

Another impactful change individuals can make is reducing their energy consumption by practicing energy-efficient habits. This includes turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and reducing water usage. Small changes like these can add up to significant energy savings over time, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, as homeowners and citizens of the earth, who share a climate with our fellow earthlings — animals, plants, and people alike, one of the most significant actions we can take is to use our voices to make a difference. This article has highlighted how each individual can make a difference, and speaking out for climate change policy can be a powerful way to drive change. We must also recognize that climate change is a global issue that requires a collective effort from individuals, employees, businesses, and governments worldwide. We need to continue to educate ourselves, spread awareness, and encourage our leaders to prioritize climate action. Together, we can make a significant impact and preserve our planet for future generations.

Every individual has the power to make a difference in the fight against climate change. Switching to solar is one of the most impactful steps an individual can take, but there are also other changes individuals can make in their daily lives that can have a positive impact on the environment. At Helio GreenTech, we are committed to empowering individuals to make a positive impact on the environment through solar energy and other sustainable practices. If you would like to learn more about our solar program we would love to provide you with specific information on your home to see how much a difference going solar would make for the environment and your wallet. Contact us Today!