The most recent IPCC reports make it clear: our planet is warming at a rate faster than anything experienced in the last 2,000 years. If global temperatures rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world will face severe and catastrophic change. To avoid this outcome, total global greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by at least 50% by 2030.
These realities point to the need for bold, systemic change. At the same time, they also challenge individuals and organizations to take seriously their own responsibility to reduce carbon footprints. For the New Jersey–based education company ETS, building that awareness among employees is an important step toward climate action.
Recently, the company’s Green Team hosted a virtual lunch-and-learn session with Climate Witness Project organizer Allen Drew. The gathering brought together 140 employees for a practical and accessible conversation about what “Net Zero” means—and how everyday decisions connect to global emissions.
Understanding Direct and Indirect Emissions
To set the stage, Drew explained that household emissions are more significant than many people realize. While households account for roughly 20% of direct emissions in the United States, the picture becomes much larger when indirect emissions are included. “It’s a full 80% if we include indirect emissions [as well],” Drew noted.
Direct emissions are easier to recognize: exhaust from driving a car, or emissions from heating water with a natural gas system. Indirect emissions, however, are generated through the production of the goods and services people use every day.
Drew illustrated this with a simple example—turning on a light switch. The action itself produces no direct emissions, yet electricity must be generated somewhere. “If that electricity is being generated by the fossil fuel factory down the road, then that flip of a switch is responsible for indirect carbon emissions,” he said.
Practical Steps—and the Need for Systemic Change
During the session, Drew shared a range of practical actions households can take to reduce emissions, many of which also save money over time. These included switching to LED light bulbs, arranging an energy-efficiency audit through a local utility, choosing cleaner electricity options where available, investing in solar energy, rethinking commuting habits, reducing food waste, and buying organic produce when possible.
He also encouraged participants to consider larger lifestyle shifts—such as moving toward electric vehicles when financially feasible—and emphasized how small, consistent changes can add up across households and communities.
At the same time, Drew stressed that individual action alone is not enough. Many indirect emissions are shaped by supply chains, infrastructure, and public policy. That reality makes systemic change essential.
One strategy he highlighted was divesting retirement funds and investments from fossil fuels, pointing to tools that help people understand where their money is invested. Voting was another key lever.
Environmental justice, Drew argued, must be a priority in local, regional, and national decision-making. “Individual choices are not enough,” he said. “We need big environmental policy changes in order to keep driving things forward.”
The session also touched on collective action at an organizational level—from assessing corporate emissions to transitioning buildings and operations away from fossil fuels. Drew affirmed the importance of taking intentional steps forward: “By going through the process and coming up with a strategy – that’s a really good thing to do.”
The conversation concluded with a lively question-and-answer period, as participants explored practical challenges and opportunities for reducing emissions at home and at work.
Taking the Next Step Toward Net Zero
Interested in exploring how Net Zero principles could apply in your own context—whether in a workplace, faith community, school, or civic group? World Renew partners with organizations across North America to foster informed conversations and collective action on climate justice.
Reach out today to learn how facilitated learning and dialogue can support your community’s next steps toward a more sustainable future.
You can also explore our Events page to discover upcoming opportunities to learn more, join conversations, and get involved in climate justice work alongside others.
