Would you wanna be carbon neutral?
Would you like to reduce your carbon footprint and overall environmental impact?
The new trend will be carbon-free! Trust me!
Take your seat, please. Here are some tips for actively tackling climate change and reducing your overall environmental impact.
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-made or natural emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. We are all observing the changes in precipitation or temperature patterns wherever we are.
The natural sources are limited, but human ingenuity is infinite.
Climate Change is a scientific fact and all of us have a responsibility to fight against it.
What is a carbon footprint?
Let’s start by looking at a carbon footprint definition. It’s a phrase that’s often used when talking about the environment and climate change, but it’s one that’s not always understood. What’s more, there are often other definitions we need to know to get the necessary context. Here are some definitions of other key terms covered in this post below.
Carbon footprint. A measure of the total amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere because of an individual’s, organisation’s, or nation’s actions. It’s usually measured in tonnes of CO2-eq (carbon dioxide equivalent).
Greenhouse gasses (GHG). The gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
The greenhouse effect. The process through which GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun. Although this is a natural phenomenon that keeps the planet habitable, our GHG emissions are causing the Earth to warm up at an unnatural rate.
Global warming. The rapid increase in average surface temperatures on Earth caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It is just one element of climate change.
Fossil fuels. Natural resources that produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses when burnt. Coal, oil, and natural gas are all examples.
Do you wonder how big is your environmental footprint?
To understand what your carbon footprint is, let's look at several key areas of your lifestyle and think more about them.
Your home energy use and waste production. This includes factors like how much electricity, natural gas, and other fuels you use and where they’re sourced from, as well as whether you recycle or send your waste to landfill/incineration. How much food waste do you produce?
Travel. Do have a car/motorbike or bike? How often do you walk? Similarly, your use of public transport contributes. Any flights you take also need accounting for, as these contribute significantly!!
Your diet. The types of food you eat and where you source it can play a central role in your overall carbon footprint. Are you shopping at the local market? How vegan is your diet? The more energy-intensive it is to produce and ship your food, the worse for the environment it generally is.
Your shopping habits. Another factor is how often you purchase new products such as electronics, household goods, and clothing. The lifespan of these items, as well as where and how they’re produced, can play a role in your carbon emissions. Don't underestimate the emissions from shipping...
Yes, let's start by understanding how big the problem is. Here is the link that you can assess your environmental footprint from World Wildlife Fund for Nature web page.
Top tips to reduce your carbon footprint:
Now that we’ve got a more detailed understanding of carbon emissions and climate change, let’s look at some ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
The study reports that four lifestyle choices had a major impact: Become a vegetarian, forego air travel, ditch your car, and—most significantly—have fewer children.
Credits: (graphic) j. You/science; (data) Seth Wynes and Kimberly a Nicholas, environmental research letters (2017)
Let’s start with some steps to reduce your carbon emissions at home. Most of these are fairly quick and easy to implement, meaning you can start living a more eco-friendly life in no time at all:
Walk walk baby!
or Cycle more
Isolate your home like your loft and walls, you can make sure your home keeps heat during the winter and stays cool in summer. It means you’ll use less energy, reducing your carbon footprint as well as your household bills!
Decrease the temperature of the boiler your boiler at a maximum temperature of 60°C to make it run efficiently and hygienically. Did you know that your house won't get warm faster if you turn the thermostat up? This only influences the maximum temperature in your house.
Buy energy-efficient appliances, such as A+++
Wash your clothes in cold water and fill up your washing machine.
Use less water
Switch to a vegan diet or at least try occasionally a few days a week. To read more about it: https://www.thevirtualcurie.com/post/going-vegan-to-fight-climate-change
Turn off the light! and switch off your computers: keep electronic devices turned off and unplugged when they’re not in use.
Ask your energy supplier about installing a smart meter.
Donate old electrical equipment, for example, to schools or community centers, so that others can reuse them.
Buy rechargeable batteries, which can be reused for multiple charging cycles. Don’t forget to recycle your batteries once they reach their end of life!
Go digital. No need for paper-based tickets, receipts etc.
Eliminate your plastic usage: check this post out: https://www.thevirtualcurie.com/post/40-ways-to-go-zero-waste
Use local foods
Use public transport
Choose direct-fly
Compost your food waste
Shop smart!
Take reusable bags to carry your shopping home. And buy kitchen and toilet rolls made from recycled paper.
Offset your carbon: Stay tuned! The next post will be on it :)
Comments