Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. How can we reduce our carbon footprint and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle? There are several actions an individual can take to reduce its impact on the environment.
From eating less meat or carpooling to switching to renewable energies or donating to environmental organizations, reducing your carbon footprint can be achieved in many ways. We have gathered some of those solutions to lessen your impact on the planet and help fight climate change.
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Table of Contents
What’s the carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint measures the impact of our activities in terms of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane). You can measure the carbon footprint of a person, a company, or an event.
It’s important to know the number of greenhouse gases we emit for every action because those gases contribute to climate change by raising the temperature on the surface of the earth. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
As an individual, you can calculate your carbon footprint with this EPA tool. If you have a business, here’s a guide to calculate your business carbon footprint.
Why is it important to reduce your carbon footprint?
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and raising livestock, contribute significantly to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This excess of greenhouse gases is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise at an alarming rate, leading to climate change.
Climate change is already causing a range of negative impacts, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and storms, as well as rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities. By reducing your carbon footprint, you can help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and slow the rate of climate change.
In addition to helping the environment, reducing your carbon footprint can also have other benefits. It can save you money on energy bills, improve air quality, and reduce your risk of health problems associated with air pollution. By taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint, you can make a positive impact on the environment and your own well-being.
How to reduce your carbon footprint?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gases is to save energy or use cleaner sources of energy. Such measures help fight the climate changes we are currently facing.
At Home
- Insulate and seal your home with Energy Star-certified windows and doors. That will help keep a stable temperature in your home regardless of the season and save you money on your energy bills.
- Shift to renewable energies like solar panels, wind, and hydropower to power your house. Renewable energies are indefinitely replenished by natural processes and are usually cleaner to obtain than fossil energies like fuels.
- Switch to energy-efficient appliances. Search for the WaterSense label on dishwashers or clothes washers, it’s EPA approved.
- Replace your lights with LEDs. LEDs use about 85% less energy than regular light bulbs and last longer.
- Purchase sustainable or second-hand furniture to decorate your home. For more details, you can check our article about Sustainable Furniture Brands.
- Turn off lights, heat and electronics when not in use.
- Conserve water: Fix any leaks in your home, use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks, and install low-flow showerheads and toilets.
Transportation
- Prefer greener transportation such as walking, biking, public transportation, or carpooling. Cars and trucks in the US are responsible for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions according to a scientific study.
- If you cannot spare your car, here are some tips to reduce your greenhouse gas emission: drive smartly which means go easy on the brakes and the gas, maintain your car to avoid energy losses, and avoid air conditioning when you can.
- If you are in the process of changing cars, choose an energy-efficient vehicle – use the SmartWay certification guide to help your researches. You can also consider a hybrid or electric car, depending on your needs.
Travel
- Choose a low-carbon mode of transportation: Whenever possible, try to choose a mode of transportation that has a lower carbon footprint, such as train, carpooling, or bus.
- For distances under 500km, prefer the train or the bus to the plane. Domestic flights and cars release the highest amount of carbon dioxide according to Our World in Data.
- If you must flight, choose a direct flight. Direct flights emit less greenhouse gas than connecting ones.
- You can offset your carbon emissions when flying, here’s a great guide that explains it all.
- Stay in eco-friendly accommodations: Look for hotels and other accommodations that have eco-friendly policies, such as energy-efficient lighting and heating, water conservation measures, and recycling programs.
- Eat locally: Eating locally-grown and produced food helps to reduce the carbon emissions associated with transportation. In addition, choosing plant-based options can also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Support sustainable tourism: Look for tourism companies that are committed to sustainability and support local communities. Avoid activities that harm the environment, such as helicopter tours or shark diving.
- Be mindful of your energy use: Turn off lights, A/C, and electronics when you’re not using them, and unplug chargers when they’re not in use.
Food
- Eat a plant-based diet or reduce your consumption of meat: Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so reducing your consumption of animal products can make a big impact.
- Buy local and seasonal products, this way you can support your local farmers and reduce the carbon emissions from their transport.
- Buy only what you need and try to avoid wasting food by planning meals or freezing leftovers.
- Use tote bags instead of plastic ones. Nowadays many alternatives to plastic exist.
- Ban single-use plastics, and replace them with reusable stainless steel water bottle or bamboo utensils for example.
- Recycle and compost: Properly dispose of your waste by recycling and composting whenever possible. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, where it can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Fashion
- Buy second-hand clothing, the fashion industry consumes a lot of energy for the creation of new items. One of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint while shopping for clothes is to buy secondhand items. This reduces the demand for new clothing, which requires energy and resources to produce.
- Choose sustainable and eco-friendly materials: Look for clothing made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled polyester. These materials have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials like conventional cotton or synthetic fibers.
- Ban fast fashion brands, instead shop from brands that are committed to sustainability: Look for brands that are committed to sustainability and have eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled materials, reducing water usage, and minimizing their carbon emissions.
- Invest in quality clothing, they will last longer. Instead of buying new clothes, try to repair and reuse the clothing you already own. This can help to extend the life of your clothing and reduce the demand for new products.
- Recycle your clothes or donate them.
Do more
- Support environmentally-friendly products and companies: Look for products that are made from sustainable materials and support companies that prioritize sustainability in their business practices.
- Plant trees with One Tree Planted. The company’s goal is to plant millions of trees to fight climate change. Indeed, trees help clear the air we breath by releasing oxygen and eliminating CO2 (responsible for warming the earth’s surface).
- Support policies and organizations that promote sustainability: Consider supporting politicians and policies that prioritize the environment and sustainability, and donate to or volunteer with organizations that work to protect the environment.
Image Credit: all product photos belong to Pexels and Unsplash
