An article in today’s local newspaper reveals that lovely southcentral PA hides a dirty, little not-so-secret. Despite the beautiful mountains and criss-crossing creeks and streams, we have a mighty large carbon footprint.

According to a recent study, the region’s residents generate about 3.19 tons of carbon emissions per year to maintain their lifestyles. The study does not include commercial sources so the overall impact of carbon emission must be much higher. Certainly, there are folks in this area who are devoted to driving their large SUVs to work by themselves Development is also such that there are communities located far from grocery stores, gas stations and other basic shopping. Even transporting our students to rural schools factors into the whole equation.

But, to defend the locals, it’s not just us …

My opinion — which the article addresses only peripherally — is that the carbon footprint of my region is inextricably tied to the interstate highways that pass through here. If you are going north to New England, you pass through here. If you are taking goods west from New Jersey, you are using the highways that adjoin our backyards. Let’s not forget the numerous warehouses in the area and the truckstops. Stop by either at any time of the day and find diesel trucks idling.

With this study in hand, activists are hoping to influence lawmakers to focus attention on areas such as ours with policies intended to lower carbon emissions.

This is what scares me.

That may not be the exact right phrase, but it is what comes to mind just now. Who exactly is going to bear the brunt of any proposed policy revisions? I’m guessing that it’s going to be me and my neighbors — not the trucking companies. Of course, even if those companies were to bear further restrictions, the cost will inevitably be passed on to consumers.

Again, me and my neighbors.

What’s the solution? I don’t know. It’s unfair to have the locals bear the brunt of policy changes in consideration of the millions of cars and trucks that are just passing through. Yet, it’s hardly feasible to create some sort of restrictions on those drivers.

We can’t change the fact that high levels of traffic pass through our area. We can, however, take individual steps to lessen our carbon footprints. Little steps taken individually create a greater impact in the world around us.

And that’s the only fair thing … to take care of God’s creation.