Architecture 2030 calls our attention to the uphill battle against the negating effects of coal-fired power plants. Developers across the US are building 151 new coal-fired power plants as we speak, not to mention the pre-existing 600 plants which are the largest source of pollution in the country.

The CO2 emissions of just a handful of these plants are enough to totally void the green initiatives implemented by industry giants like Home Depot and Walmart. From Architecture 2030:

“Home Depot has funded the planting of 300,000 trees in cities across the US. Each tree will absorb and store about one-third of a ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) over its lifetime. The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized (500 MW) coal-fired power plant, in just 10 days of operation, would negate the Home Depot’s entire effort.

Wal-Mart, the largest “private” purchaser of electricity in the world is investing a half billion dollars to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of their existing buildings by 20% over the next 7 years. The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized coal-fired power plant, in just one month of operation each year, would negate Wal-Mart’s entire effort.”

These are two examples of a critical backsliding. As California passes legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions in new automobiles and groups like Campus Climate Challenge struggle to reduce the impact human life has on the planet they’re battling states like Texas, Montana, and Alaska (Alaska produces 6 times the CO2 per capita as NYC), who rely heavily on coal to produce cheap electricity.

This disparity among states in the United States is one of the reasons it’s so difficult to find a consensus at the national level to reduce CO2 emissions. Certain states–Wyoming, Louisiana, Texas– benefit from the production of cheap electricity (40% of CO2 emissions in the US come from electricity production) while states like California, Vermont, and Idaho suffer the consequences while looking for alternate energy sources that cost consumers more money in the short run.

There are different paths to action we can take, both short term and long term. The Carbon Footprint Calculator gives you an estimate of your personal carbon emissions while suggesting steps you can take to reduce your output. The results however, have much to do with the state you reside in. Living in Washington State you produce less CO2 than living the same way in Wyoming.

The problem of climate change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions is an aggregate problem, but like every aggregate it’s made up of singular instances. Getting the word out is the first step, making people aware they have the power to change their own lives. We may not all be responsible for getting the environment to the state it’s in, but we are responsible if we are aware and do nothing.