One of the biggest challenges humanity is facing today is climate change with many far reaching effects on our planet. These effects include increasing the frequency and intensity of some weather events like flooding and drought, changing the sea temperature, the ocean acidity, and even sea level. Our everyday activities can affect the environment either negatively or positively. The good news is that there are certain things we can do and decisions we can make that minimize our carbon footprint thereby slowing the effects of climate change. Learn more about the steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and help care for our planet.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
People use the word carbon footprint when talking about the environment and climate change. A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gasses that go into the atmosphere resulting from one person’s action or from an organization’s actions. Greenhouse gasses are the primary contributors to many environmental issues like pollution, climate change, and global warming. Simply put, your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses released into the atmosphere from the activities you do.How to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint?
An average American produces approximately 19.78 tonnes of CO2 per year. You can use the EPA's online calculator to determine your carbon footprint at home. This calculator determines the amount by evaluating your household energy, waste, transportation, etc., and shows you the changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint. If your number is higher than you’d expect, it might be time to make some changes. There are measures you can make now to lower your carbon footprint. For example you can start recycling, purchase carbon offsets, or take some of these “living green” practices into consideration:- Switch off or unplug your appliances when not in use to save up to 10% on wasted energy. Electricity makes up the largest portion of CO2 emissions. Therefore, switching off or unplugging saves you money and helps you impact the environment positively.
- Re-think of your fuel sources- some fuel sources are considered more environmentally friendly than others. Electric boilers are better than gas boilers as they don't burn fossils to generate heat. Thus, they are beneficial to the environment. Additionally, consider insulating your home to save you money and prevent greenhouses from escaping into the environment.
- Take shorter showers. This way, you’ll use less hot water meaning less energy will be used to heat the water.
- Use less electricity. Turn the lights off, take the stairs instead of the elevator and do full loads of laundry and dishes whenever possible.
- Recycle. Consider recycling your cans, office paper, newspaper, furniture, metals, etc.
- Opt to walk or ride a bike or scooter to school or work instead of driving or taking a bus.
- Plan your meals to reduce food waste and consider eating plant-based meals regularly. Meat and dairy products emit more greenhouse gasses and contribute negatively to the environment. For example, beef emits 20 times more emissions than beans and lentils, and four times more than dairy products.