8 easy — and cheap — ways to cut your carbon emissions
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Most Americans see climate change as a major threat. But income level seems to guide one’s willingness or ability to live a greener lifestyle.
Fifty-nine percent of high-income consumers always or often choose sustainable products, whereas that’s true for only 44% and 42% of mid- and low-income households, respectively, according to a new Deloitte survey. The poll was global, but the findings were consistent across individual countries such as the U.S., said James Cascone, partner at Deloitte.
A sustainable purchase would largely aim to reduce your planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions — for example, replacing a household appliance with a more energy-efficient counterpart or buying an electric vehicle.
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Low earners were much more likely to cite cost as a barrier to an environmentally friendly purchase than high earners, Deloitte found.
“Cost is a big factor,” said Gregory Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan.
High earners generally have the largest carbon footprints, noted Deloitte’s Cascone. They own bigger homes, have more vehicles and travel more by air, for example, but they can also more easily afford to change their behavior.
Sustainable products tend to carry a “green premium,” meaning they’re generally more expensive than the standard, experts said.
Even if a purchase would ultimately save money over the long term — due to lower household energy costs, for example — people living paycheck to paycheck generally can’t afford to invest in things such as new home insulation or efficient windows, said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for the Nature Conservancy and professor at Texas Tech University.
A new national rebate program aims to ease or eliminate the cost burden of such investments, especially for lower-earning households. EV tax credits also seek to reduce net cost to buyers.
Here are some easy — and inexpensive or no-cost — ways to reduce your carbon footprint today, according to efficiency and environmental experts. You may even save money in the process.
1. Switch to LED lightbulbs ASAP
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Switching out older lightbulbs in your home for LED bulbs as soon as possible is among the best actions you can take, according to Hayhoe.
“It’s a no-brainer,” she said.
Why? LED, which stands for light-emitting diode, is today’s most-efficient lighting technology, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, for example, the Energy Department said. They also last about three to five times longer than compact fluorescent light bulbs.
As such, the average household saves about $225 in energy costs per year by switching to LED lighting, the Energy Department said. While LEDs are a bit more expensive, costs have decreased “dramatically” and prices are expected to fall further, officials say.
However, households start saving money very quickly after switching to LED lighting, meaning it makes sense from both a financial and environmental standpoint to switch now rather than later, Keoleian said.
2. Cut food waste
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The average American wastes more than 400 pounds of food a year. In total, about 30% to 40% of edible food is wasted, Keoleian said.
Reducing such waste saves emissions across the food supply chain on agricultural production inputs such as fuel for tractors and fertilizers, and in other areas such as refrigeration and food distribution, he said.
Organic waste in landfills also generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is more than 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a list of ways to prevent food waste at home, such as planning meals for the week before shopping and properly storing fruits and vegetables.
Composting food scraps also “significantly” reduces methane emissions from waste. Check out this EPA list for tips on how to start composting at home.
3. Stop ‘energy vampires’
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Many household appliances draw power from electrical outlets even when off or idle.
These “energy vampires” — which may include computers, hair dryers, cable boxes and coffee makers, among others — can add $100 to $200 a year to the average household energy bill, according to the Energy Department.
Unplug these devices when not in use. You can also plug them into a power strip or an outlet with a wall switch and switch the whole system on or off when you need to.
4. Seal any leaks
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Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half the average home’s energy use, according to the Consumer Federation of America. In aggregate, small leaks around the house amount to leaving open a 3-foot-by-3-foot window, the group said.
“Simple steps” such as caulking windows and sliding draft guards under doors can save up to 20% on heating costs, the group said.
Even buying a clear, plastic film for windows helps insulate from heat and cold by adding a pocket of air between you and the outside, Hayhoe said. Indeed, she did this in her home.
5. Save water
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Conserving water is important because water and wastewater treatment are carbon-intensive processes, as is heating that water at home, Keoleian said.
There are many ways to cut water use. For example, fully load machines such as dishwashers and clothing washers. Those who wash dishes by hand can be efficient by using two basins (one for cleaning and another for rinsing) instead of running the water.
Also, use cold water when possible. A washing machine spends 90% of its energy to heat water, for example, the Consumer Federation of America said. For drying, use a clothesline in warmer weather. On a related note, open the door at the end of a dishwasher’s wash cycle and let the dishes air dry.
Even putting something like a brick in your toilet tank will displace — and therefore save — water.
6. Tweak your diet, even slightly
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Certain foods are more carbon-intensive than others.
Eating a more plant-based diet and cutting red meat intake is generally more environmentally friendly, as well as cheaper and healthier, experts said.
For example, beef’s greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram is about seven times higher than that of farm-raised fish, 10 times that of chicken and 230 times that of nuts or root vegetables. This is largely because cows produce a lot of methane.
While red meat — beef, pork and lamb — accounts for about 10% of the calories in an average diet, it contributes almost half the greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production, Keoleian said.
Legumes, beans, nuts and lentils are very good protein substitutes, he said.
“You could still eat meat,” Keoleian said. “Just limit it and have a diversity of diet, which will be healthier.”
Of course, this might not be possible, he said. Food and diet are cultural, and not everyone likes plant-based proteins.
7. Use cars efficiently
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Car owners — even those with gas guzzlers — can use their vehicles more efficiently.
For example, “trip chaining” means bundling trips. An example of this would be picking up groceries on the way home from work instead of making a one-off trip to the store.
Households with more than one car can also “rightsize,” a concept that matches the most efficient car with the trip. For example, that may mean commuting to work in a sedan instead of an SUV or pickup truck, Keoleian said.
Public transit, walking, biking and carpooling are other options, too, Hayhoe said.
8. Talk about it
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Reducing individual carbon footprints can have an enormous influence on how businesses cut their greenhouse gas emissions, experts said. An industry will respond to consumer choices, sentiment and buying behavior, they said.
Consumers can therefore have a big effect by talking with friends, family and colleagues about how they saved money by living greener, Hayhoe said.
“The No. 1 thing that costs nothing and is most impactful is starting conversations about why this matters,” Hayhoe said.
“Do something — anything — and then talk about it,” she added. “Make it contagious in a good way.”
A new Civic is in the works that’s bringing much more than just a new look to Honda’s best-selling vehicle. Here’s our first look at the next-gen Honda Civic.
Honda previews next-gen Civic with new hybrid system
During an event held for the media on Wednesday, Honda offered a look at some of the advanced new tech it plans to roll out over the next few years.
Although it just launched the current Civic Hybrid last year, Honda is already working on its replacement. Honda didn’t confirm or deny that the Civic was under the camouflage, but it was pretty evident.
The new Civic will ride on Honda’s next-gen hybrid (HEV) platform, designed for mid-size vehicles. Honda’s new hybrid system is nearly 200 lbs (90 kg) lighter and more flexible, which it said provides “excellent fuel economy” while also improving the driving experience.
According to Car and Driver, which drove the new Civic, the interior is also getting redesigned. Honda covered most of it, but you could still see what appeared to be a larger, at least 15″ infotainment screen at the center.
Honda is keeping most powertrain details a secret for now, but the new Civic appears to have an electrified drive unit similar to those found in the Accord and CR-V.
The company said the direct-drive motor and generator motor are smaller, more efficient, and free from rare-earth materials. Honda also said the battery, located under the rear seat, is all-new. It will be used for upcoming compact and mid-size vehicles, which Honda said will help reduce costs.
As for how it drives, Car and Driver said the new Honda Civic was quick off the line thanks to its direct-drive setup. However, the test track was too smooth to really judge the ride quality.
Like the new Honda Prelude, the Civic will feature S+ Shift, which simulates gear-shifting via paddles on the steering wheel.
The prototype had exhaust pipes, but they likely won’t make it to the production model. Honda plans to launch several next-gen hybrids on the new HEV platform, starting from 2027. The next-gen Honda Accord may even arrive before the Civic, debuting on the hybrid system.
Honda said it’s also developing a next-gen platform for large-size HEVs to meet the growing demand in North America.
Using a next-gen V6 engine with extended fuel-efficient range, Honda said it aims to improve fuel efficiency by 30% compared to its current ICE vehicles. Honda’s larger HEVs will likely go on sale closer to 2028.
Honda also showcased the Super-ONE Prototype during the event, its compact EV set to launch in Japan in 2026, followed by the UK and other global markets.
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Zero Motorcycles turned heads in Milan at EICMA 2025 with the unveiling of its new LS1 electric scooter, a sleek and practical 60 mph (100 km/h) commuter built for European city streets. With its swappable batteries, off-board charging, and smart safety tech like ABS and traction control, the LS1 is clearly a strong contender in the urban EV space. It also marks a major shift for Zero, expanding beyond full-size electric motorcycles into a more accessible, everyday format.
But will it come to the US market?
At the show I had the chance to speak with James Callahan of Zero, and he confirmed that the LS1 is not coming to the US market, at least not in its current form or in the near future. “The scooter market in the US is still very small,” Callahan explained, “so for now, we’re focused on Europe, where the demand is much higher.”
And while interest from American riders may exist, there’s another hurdle: the LS1 isn’t homologated for the US, meaning it doesn’t meet certain regulatory standards like the NHTSA’s lighting requirements. Its slick continuous LED turn signal bar would need to be redesigned entirely, among other tweaks to the design.
The LS1 comes equipped with two removable batteries that live in the floorboard and can be charged indoors using an 800W charger – or even faster with a 1,500W upgrade. A third battery can be added under the seat for extended range, while that same underseat storage area also hides a cavity large enough for a helmet or groceries.
Add in a low seat height, a short wheelbase, and user-friendly features, and you’ve got a solid commuter platform. But it’s a platform that we’re not likely to see in the US for a long time.
So while the LS1 represents an exciting new chapter for Zero in Europe, fitting with the company’s recent move out of California and into the Netherlands, don’t expect to see it zipping down US streets anytime soon.
Though it’s not all bad news for our American readers. There’s a spark of hope that Zero’s more affordable off-road electric motorcycles launched in the US market this year could be getting street-legal homologation, though not immediately. More on that soon…
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Environment
Toyota’s selling cars faster than it can build them, saying it can ‘barely cover the demand’
Toyota is selling cars faster than it can build them. With strong demand for hybrids, the company says it can “barely cover the demand.”
Toyota’s hybrids fuel sales growth in 2025
After reporting its fiscal second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, Toyota raised its sales and earnings forecast for the year.
In the first half of the fiscal year, the company sold a record 5.27 million vehicles, up 105% compared to the same period in 2024. Those numbers include its luxury Lexus brand.
Toyota said “strong demand from customers around the world” led to higher sales, particularly in Japan and North America. Hybrid vehicles primarily drove growth, with higher demand in competitive markets such as North America and China.
The Japanese automaker sold 2.27 million hybrids (HEVs) in the first six months of the fiscal year 2026. Including battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), Toyota’s total “electrified” vehicles accounted for 47% of its total sales.
Toyota said the new RAV4, its best-selling vehicle globally, is carrying the growth as the first to adopt its software-defined platform, Arene.
Like most automakers, Toyota took a hit from the US auto tariffs. The company expects the 15% tariff will cost an extra 1.45 trillion yen ($9.4 billion) in the fiscal year.
Toyota expects higher sales, and cost-cutting measures will lessen the blow. It raised operating profit guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, to 3.4 trillion yen ($22 billion). That’s up from its previous guidance of 3.2 trillion yen ($20.8 billion), but still a 28% decrease compared to the previous fiscal year.
“In terms of sales, we expect a very healthy situation going forward,” Toyota’s CFO, Kenta Kon, said during a news conference with reporters on Wednesday (via Automotive News).
According to Kon, Toyota is still seeing “strong demand,” so much so that “we can barely cover the demand,” he added.
Electrek’s Take
Although hybrids are carrying the growth, Toyota’s BEV sales are still lagging. In the US, Toyota sold just 61 bZ electric SUVs in September. Through the first nine months of the year, Toyota sold just 12,264 bZs, down from 13,577 in the same period last year.
With the 2026 BZ upgrade rolling out and new EVs arriving soon, including the C-HR and bZ Woodland, Toyota’s BEV sales are expected to gain momentum over the next few months finally.
At the Japan Mobility Show, the company revealed plans for five unique brands under the Toyota Group, which it says will provide a diverse range of vehicles designed for every buyer.
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