Are moms ruining the planet?

It's hard to say. Although the United States accounts for approximately 5 percent of the world’s population, it produces an estimated 21 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emmissions. “Light-duty” vehicles, which are used primarily for personal transport, accounted for 62 percent of total transportation emissions.

A transportation survey from last year said Americans had more shopping trips than days of the year. The proliferation of minivans and SUVs are designed for family travel.

And if a woman staying at home to raise her children doesn't have a car during the day, she indeed is subject to a very lonely existence.

Women, by and large, run their households. With 5.5 million women staying home, the responsibility for shopping and childrearing falls mainly on their shoulders. So how can moms lead the way toward a greener future, and do they want to?