Almost everything you do will contribute to the “carbon footprint” or other issues. Let’s look at some of the ones we have and reflect a bit. I have seen composting. Composting is the break down of organic matter which results in either CO2 or CH4 being released. These are really not huge contributors into the greenhouse gas issue due to the relatively small amount released. But here’s a consideration: what would that contribution be if everyone composted? We have large land fills across the nation that are all undergoing some form of decay of organic matter and these all release the same gases in much larger amounts.
Another consideration to composting is the consideration of where you got the compostable material to start with. Did you grow it yourself? Did you use any ICEs to help till the soil? Did you use any pesticides or fertilizers on your garden? That all has to be contributing to many of the issues. Or did you buy the material from a store? That would require driving to the store, the energy that operates the store, the fuel that moves the trucks that deliver the material and on and on and on. All that goes into what you are composting.
Recycling is also a mixed bag. Plastics for example can break down and release microplastics which get into our system and into our bodies. They can present a health hazard. Not to mention the fuel expended in processing the plastics for recycling and add to the carbon footprint for recycling. And the fuel of the trucks or the cars bringing the recyclables to the recycling center.
I saw an answer for heating your home with your own harvested wood. Burning wood is burning an organic fuel and releases all the same greenhouse gases as most fossil fuels. Not to mention the fuel used to cut down/cut up the wood for burning.
Solar and wind power bring problems of their own due to the scarcity of some of the rare earths (and not so rare earths) needed to make them. Mining and processing the ore adds to the carbon footprint.
Now, all that being said, I’m a big fan of raising your own food and composting and all sorts of things like that. I think it is healthier and less risky than processed foods. I’m actually all for alternative energy sources though I truly think we need a whole lot more research into them.