E
veryone’s heard of the so-called ‘carbon footprint’. But what exactly does it mean? Basically, it’s the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, organization/business, or event.
The drastic increase in the emission of CO2 (carbon dioxide) is the main cause of global warming, also known as man-made climate change. There are certain things you can do to lower your carbon footprint. By doing so, you’re helping the planet more than you may think.
Before I go through the ways you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, it’s essential to understand that CO2 is a consequence of burning carbon-based fuels such as gasoline/petrol, diesel, kerosene, coal, oil, and gas.
Even in centrally governed states such as Belarus in eastern Europe, the need for producing fewer greenhouse gasses and working in a more responsible way are now implemented in most of the country’s industries despite the fact that the country is so steeped in traditions and change is so hard to achieve.
The goal is to reduce the use of devices that are powered by carbon-based fuels. I know it sounds daunting but as they say, starting is half the battle. Here are 5 tips that will help you get started:
- Home
We spend a lot of time in our homes and therefore we release a large number of greenhouse emissions. In the UK, it’s estimated that nearly 57 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were released over the four quarters to Q4 2063.
The best way to reduce your home carbon footprint is by using less household energy. Try to buy energy-efficient appliances and devices, insulate your home, and always switch off power sockets when you are not using them.
Another important factor that will help the environment is recycling. By recycling, you drastically reduce your carbon footprint because new resources are not used by manufacturers, reducing pollution caused by factories.
- Travel
There are quite a few things you can do to reduce your travel carbon emissions. The most obvious one is to lower the number of miles you drive. Try walking instead or cycling – it’s a great way to get in shape too! It’s a win-win solution. Sometimes there are trips we don’t really need to do. Try to combine errands in order to cover a few trips in one go!
However, for most people, driving is really important. It’s the only way they can get to work or simply get on with their daily activities. The ideal solution for those who depend on driving would be to buy an eco-friendly car.
However, not everyone can afford to buy a new car. If you’re one of those people, then try to reduce the engine idle time. For example, if you’re in a traffic jam or waiting for a train to pass, just shut your engine down. Also, try using your air conditioning only when it’s really necessary.
Driving style can also have an impact on the environment. Excessive acceleration and speed will waste more fuel and money. In terms of flying, again, it might be a good idea to combine your trips in order to get more done in one go. Also, think about taking the train. Rail transport is a good alternative to flying if you’re traveling in Europe. If you’re flying to the other side of the world, find non-stop flights rather than connecting flights.
- Office
Corporations, organizations, and businesses are the cause of almost 50% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the world. There are many ways you can help the environment by being more sustainable while at work.
The best thing you can do is to use your computer efficiently. Lower the energy use by turning off your devices if you don’t need them for a long period of time. On your lunch break, why not put your computer in sleep mode?
Always recycle and make sure you don’t use unnecessary paper by using document management systems to share your documents online with other members of your team. By recycling, you will not only be helping the environment but you will also see greater productivity and savings to your business in no time.
Cleaning your office often is also a good idea as it keeps the air filters clean. You might also want to have your system tuned by a licensed contractor every year.
Following these tips will help you become a more sustainable person and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. If you have any questions, then feel free to drop a comment below.
Stephen Hibberd is an experienced writer with a business background. He is passionate about creating useful content on living a healthy lifestyle.