Minimizing your carbon footprint is about respecting the earth, taking care of it and leaving it in a better condition for future generations. Here are 7 tips you can use to start minimizing your footprint right now.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact that an individual has on the environment. The size of an individual’s CO2 emissions is calculated by estimating how many tons of CO2 they emit into the atmosphere. This measurement can vary depending on your lifestyle, such as whether you take public transportation, use reusable shopping bags, and buy products with less packaging.
Tips on Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
One of the most important things you can do to minimize your footprint is to not use plastic. When you use disposable cutlery, straws, or drink lids, it may seem like a small thing at first but it’s actually quite substantial. For example, 500 million straws are used every day in America. If everyone switched to reusable ones it would keep 500 million straws out of landfills each year!
Why You Should Care About Your Carbon Footprint?
The carbon footprint is the total effect that an individual has on the environment, or how much greenhouse gases are emitted. These emissions come from everything the person consumes, owns, and contributes to society. The average American’s carbon footprint is about 24 tons per year.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
1. Shut off electronics when not in use, like your TV, computer, speakers, lamps, etc.
2. Use light-colored clothing rather than dark clothing (which requires more energy for washing)
3. Drive less
4. Take public transportation or carpool with friends and family
5. Eat less meat (meat is one of the most resource-intensive foods to produce) or at least eat meat that’s locally sourced
6. Use cold water whenever possible (e.g., don’t wash dishes with hot water)
7. Buy local produce, not imported produce
Conclusion
The key to minimizing your footprint is to do everything you can. Start by changing the way you think about your carbon emissions and what you can do to reduce them. Then, take a look at your living area and see if there are any changes that will have a positive effect on your footprint. You’ll be happy to know that there’s a lot you can do!
