4 Impactful Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Help Save the Planet
Every year we edge closer to the edge of homelessness. Our planet’s in dire straights, with carbon emissions threatening to roast us all before too long. In fact, if we don’t take drastic steps right now, scientists estimate that we’ll reach the tipping point within the next 20 years. After that, we can expect unprecedented droughts and destructive weather events to become the norm. We still have a little time so let’s use it wisely and do everything we can to reduce your carbon footprint emissions and save ourselves. Start doing your bit today.
1. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
The first step is to know your enemy. Conduct an energy audit on your home so you can see where you’re burning fossil fuels unnecessarily.
You can use the EPA’s carbon footprint calculator and the energy.gov website to help you figure it all out.
Once you know where your weaknesses are, take concrete steps to cut down on unnecessary wastage and energy expenditure.
2. Eat More Fruits and Veggies
This is one of the most delicious ways to cut down your carbon footprint drastically. Try to cut animal-based products from your diet as much as you can.
Livestock production and the food processing that goes along with it adds billions of tons of carbon emissions to the atmosphere every year. Quitting meat means you could reduce your carbon footprint by almost 3,000 pounds a year.
You can also cut down on transport emissions by growing your own vegetables and by buying food from local organic markets.
3. Shop Wisely
Avoid buying fast fashions. You’re going to end up throwing most of these items away. Rather invest in long-lasting signature pieces or good quality second-hand clothing.
Avoid single-use plastics like the plague. These non-recyclable items litter our landscapes, releasing toxins into the soil air, and water as they slowly decompose.
You can buy reusable shopping bags online from eBay, Amazon, or Sol and Spirit and never use a plastic produce bag or shopping bag again. At present, packing plants are slowly coming around to the idea of biodegradable packing.
Until then recycle everything you can. Separate your plastic and glass waste, re-use what you can, and take the rest to the recycling plant. Use organic food waste to make a compost heap for your veggie patch.Â
You can take plastic and glass containers with you to your local market to transport your goods. Many local producers will gratefully accept your glass bottles for their preserves too.
4. Take Up Walking
Avoid using your car as much as you can. Rather walk, carpool, or take the bus. Take staycations instead of heading across the country or abroad in an airplane. The fewer exhausts spewing pollution into the air, the better.
Electric cars are better, but they’re best when you’re using solar-powered resources to charge them. When you do head out in your car, limit your trips. Try to take one trip to the store to get whatever you need, instead of several.
Looking Ahead
Like all things, making a conscious effort to reduce your carbon footprint will become second nature over time. It’s definitely one of those survival skills we need to ingrain in our children’s psyche too.
So if you want some more tips on how to cut down waste, save resources, and still enjoy your life, keep reading. You’ll find plenty of great ideas on my blog.
