As it should be, global warming is a hot topic these days. As such, everyone from corporations down to us as individuals are becoming more and more aware of their carbon footprint.
“Carbon footprint” is the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere; it’s usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). When it comes to your personal carbon footprint, the main ones you should be concerned with are reducing your methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions.
In response, virtually every automobile manufacturer is producing at least one line of hybrid or purely electric cars. While it may not be completely global yet, factory emissions are being scrutinized and retooled. Solar and wind power companies are seeing an increase in sales and average citizens are trying to reduce their carbon footprint for the good of the planet.
If you’re wondering how you can reduce your own footprint, we’ve got 5steps to help you along the way.
1. Reduce Food Waste
It can really surprise many that up to 1/3 of the food we farm ends up in our landfills. Additionally, food waste accounts for around 8% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
When you add in the greenhouse gases emitted during every stage of the production process, along with the methane and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere at every stage, the carbon footprint from waste is enormous.
To help combat this, you should plan ahead and reduce over-buying. Plan food needs beforehand, purchase only what you need for each recipe or use direct-to-home meal services that only deliver the ingredients required. Use what waste you can for compost and when eating out, try ordering smaller plates and try to always take leftovers home.
2. Upgrade Your Home
If you really want to sleep well knowing you’re doing your part to reduce your footprint, you should look into upgrading your home. With pace funding, you can get help with paying to make your home more energy efficient by harnessing renewable energy, reducing water waste, and more.
At a minimum, you should consider increasing the insulation of your home and installing storm windows and doors. This has the added benefit of helping protect your home against storms too.
3. Reduce Your Meat Consumption
Cows are responsible for a large portion of the greenhouse gases emissions. In fact, according to Project Drawdown, if the cattle population of the world were considered to be their own nation, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
Increasing your plant-based diet and reducing the consumption of beef can decrease your carbon footprint. Couple this with green parenting and it will be reduced even more.
4. Consider Upgrading Appliances
Older air conditioners, refrigerators, and deep freezers use hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) to keep your food chilled. While better for the ozone than those manufactured before 1987, they are still worse than carbon dioxide emissions when it comes to warming the atmosphere… by an average of 5,000 times greater.
5. Reduce Combustible Engine Use
While you may not be able to walk or ride a bicycle everywhere, you can reduce your carbon footprint by doing so whenever possible. Not only is this practice better for the planet than driving, but they’re also good for your health.
If you live close enough to work, try walking or biking to work. In fact, to help with this initiative, many employers are offering employees assistance with purchasing a bike.
If everyone does their part to reduce individual carbon footprints, greenhouse gas emissions will go down and the ozone will eventually repair itself.
Eco photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com & photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
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