How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

carbon footprint

We all have an impact on the planet, no matter how sustainably we live. Reduce your carbon footprint with a few simple things you can do every day!

Our environment and the natural world it sustains are essential for our survival. Unfortunately, in many ways, our lifestyle has a significant impact on the well-being of the planet. Many people also think, living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle automatically means cutting back on living standards. But often, making wise choices and reducing emissions can improve parts of our lives.

But where do we even start when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint? Luckily, we have some solutions that can make your daily life more environmentally friendly and healthier in the long run. Be sure to share them with other concerned citizens on your favorite family app!

How to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Daily Life

An individual’s overall consumption, including transportation, housing, and food intake, determines their carbon footprint. While we all have a carbon footprint, reducing our impact on carbon emissions means a less compromised planet. With these easy tips, you can help reduce them daily.

1. Minimize Carbon Emissions in Your Home

To reduce carbon footprint at home, turn down your heating and water heater, and close curtains to maintain a stable temperature.

Be sure to turn off any lights or appliances you’re not using, or unplug things to save electricity. When replacing lights, purchase LED lights that use significantly less energy. And, if you’re replacing your fridge, make sure it complies with energy efficiency standards. Not only are these choices more eco-friendly, but they’ll also help you save money on your utility bills.

2. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint on the Road

Modes of transportation, like driving and flying, emit more carbon dioxide than almost anything else. That’s why your choice of transportation is key to protecting the planet. When you can, make the choice to walk, bike, or use public transit. You may even want to set up a carpool with a co-worker to lessen your impact.

Of course, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, carpooling and public transportation might not be ideal solutions. But working from home will reduce your carbon footprint from transportation, plus save you money on gas.

3. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

Whether at home or on the go, Americans create approximately 258 million tons of trash a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)!  Be sure that you are emptying your containers and sorting them by cans, glass, paper, and newsprint for recycling.

There are plenty of programs or stores that will take hard-to-recycle items like electronics, soft plastics, and other extras. So do what you can to keep extra trash out of landfills.

4. Reduce and Reuse!

You know those thin, plastic bags you use for produce? Instead, buy a reusable, mesh bag that you can toss in the wash! Instead of plastic sandwich bags, use a silicone bag that you can put into the dishwasher. You could also bring reusable silverware or metal straws wherever you go in your purse or bag. And don’t forget to use your own grocery store bags when you head to the store! Disposable plastic water bottles are also easily replaced by plenty of great sustainable options! There are so many ways to cut down on the disposable plastics in your life, and each time you do, you’re reducing your carbon footprint!

How Does Vegetarianism Help Climate Change?

There’s no doubt that a vegetarian or vegan diet can be a healthy choice. But it can also be a more sustainable choice when it comes to lowering your environmental impact.

Livestock creates approximately 14.5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions according to carbon footprint data, so reduced beef consumption is key. If you can’t forego it completely, choose plant-based options like beans, tofu, or tempeh more frequently.

It’s also important to buy locals foods in season so your food doesn’t have to travel far. Making meal plans can help you to use what’s in your fridge and reduce your food waste. But if you’re not able to use all your food, composting the excess can help diminish waste and enrich the soil.

Why Is Reducing Our Carbon Footprint Important?

Most of us may have heard the carbon footprint term without knowing exactly what it means. In fact, it has an adverse impact on our climate and it’s something we all have control over.

This footprint is determined by the total greenhouse gas emissions involved in the production, use, and endpoint of a service or product. This number includes gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases actually trap heat in the atmosphere and impact climate change, which is the effect of global warming.

Benefits of Reducing Emissions

Climate change might be a big problem that has serious implications for our natural world. However, little things we can do every day can help reduce our impact. From turning off the lights to eating less beef, small choices can make a difference!

Not only that but reducing emissions through a plant-based diet or turning off water and electricity is also good for your budget and your health. Especially in the long run, a healthy environment and robust Mother Earth benefits us and future generations to come.

Do you have any insightful tips for reducing your carbon footprint? Share them with other readers! With hundreds of little things you can do, there’s no reason not to take action.

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