For any of y'all that don't quite understand what a carbon footprint is, it is the amount of greenhouse gases that you produce as you live your life. This includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases and more. The Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project determined that in order to hold the global temperature rise to 2 degrees celsius or less, everyone on Earth will need to average an annual carbon footprint of 1.87 tons by 2050. Below is a list of simple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint to help our beautiful planet.
You can calculate your carbon footprint at carbonfootprint.com to see how you're doing.
FOOD
Eat low on the food chain - mostly eating fruits, veggies, grains, and beans. Livestock - meat & dairy - is responsible for up to 14.5% of manmade global greenhouse gas emissions
Choose organic and local foods that are in season because transporting foods from further away, whether by truck, ship, rail, or plane, uses fossil fuels for fuel and cooling to keep foods in transit from spoiling
Buy items in bulk when possible using your own reusable container
Reduce your food waste by planning meals ahead of time, freezing the excess and reusing leftovers
Compost your food waste if possible
CLOTHING
Don't buy fast fashion
Buy vintage or recycled clothing at consignment shops
Wash your clothing in cold water. Doing 2 loads of laundry weekly in cold water instead of hot or warm water can she up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year
SHOPPING
Buy less stuff - buy used or recycled items whenever possible
Bring your own reusable bag when you shop
Try to avoid items with excess packaging
Opt for a laptop instead of a desktop - laptops require less energy to charge and operate than desktops
When shopping for appliances, lighting, office equipment, or electronics, look for Energy Star products, which are certified to be more energy efficient
Support and buy from companies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable
HOME
Do an energy audit of your home
Change incandescent light bulbs to light emitting diodes (LED's)
Switch lights off when you leave the room and unplug electronic devices when they are not in use
Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit - this can save about 550 pounds of CO2 a year
Installing a low-flow showered to reduce water can save 350 pounds of CO2 - take shorter and colder showers
Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer - use less A/C in the summer, instead opt for fans, which require less electricity
TRANSPORTATION
On average, a car produces about 5 tons of CO2 each year - depends on type of car, its fuel efficiency, and how it's driven
Drive less. Walk, carpool, ride share, or bike to your destination when possible
If you must drive, avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration
Take care of your car, remove any extra weight from the car
When doing errands, try to combine them to reduce your driving
Use traffic apps to help avoid getting stuck in a traffic jam
On longer trips, turn on cruise control
Use less A/C while you drive
Consider purchasing or driving a hybrid or electric vehicle - some electric vehicles are initially responsible for more emissions than eternal combustion engine vehicles because of manufacturing impacts; but they make up for it after 3 years
AIR TRAVEL
Avoid flying if possible - if you can't avoid flying, offset the carbon emissions of your travel
Fly non-stop when possible since landings and takeoffs use more fuel and produce more emissions
A carbon offset is an amount of money you can pay for a project that reduces greenhouse gases somewhere else. You can purchase carbon offsets to compensate for any or all of your other carbon emissions as well. The money you pay goes towards the climate protection projects.
GET POLITICALLY ACTIVE
The most effective solutions to climate change require governmental action - VOTE!
Become politically active and let your representatives know you want them to take action to phase out fossil fuel use and decarbonize the country as fast as possible
Please note: I am in no way a professional. I grew up loving our environment and wanted to find ways to help care for it. The information provided in this article is referenced from an article written on December 27, 2018 by Renee Cho. Check it out here: https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/12/27/35-ways-reduce-carbon-footprint/
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