Our individual carbon footprint has a severe impact on our resources as well as on the climate change. It has tons of carbon dioxide equivalents which can impact our and our planet’s health. Here are some easy ways to reduce carbon footprint.
1. Plant more trees and prevent cutting of trees
A single tree can absorb one ton of CO2 in its lifetime. This is the easiest way to reduce carbon footprint. Manage a forest with healthy trees since healthy trees can store more carbon. Avoid forest fires which increase emissions.
2. Walk more drive less
Walking has many physical health benefits. It can prevent obesity and heart disease and also lower your fuel bills. You can also choose public transport over private ones where possible. Carpool to work or school or walk to the nearest store instead of driving.
3. Use less hot water
Take cool showers (at least in summers-they are great for your skin!) and reduce your hot showers in winters. Always wash clothes in cold water. Not only is this an easy way to reduce carbon footprint; it can also amount to savings of $500 per annum.
4. Insulate your hot water tank and set geyser temperature to 120 F
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Try switching to an on-demand water heater and make the most of your hot water. Seal your water tank to prevent heat loss.
5. Drive hybrid cars
Fuel efficient cars can reduce carbon footprint and also save 4500 gallons of gas over the car’s lifetime. This, in turn, amounts to savings of nearly $15000 USD.
6. Turn vegetarian
If not completely, at least lower your meat (especially beef) consumption. An entire family of four can reduce carbon emissions by nearly three times by cutting meat intake in half per year.
Related: Easy ways to get more protein.
7. Use energy efficient appliances
This is the easiest way to lower carbon footprint of a household and also reduce a family’s electricity bills. Many manufacturers sell energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. Replace a regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb or a LED bulb to save 150 lb of CO2 each year. Upgrade your AC and fridge to newer models which are twice as efficient as the older ones. They will end up paying for themselves in 3 years in energy savings alone.
8. Turn off appliances when not in use
A laser printer kept on when not in use could cost you as much as $130 annually, unnecessarily. Keeping appliances unplugged is a wonderful and easy way to save on energy bills as well as reduce your carbon footprint.
9. Lower your thermostat
Set your house temperatures 2 degrees lower in winter (68 degrees) and 2 degrees higher in the summer (78 degrees). Insulate your home by caulking and sealing cracks, crevices and windows/doors to prevent heat losses. This easy tip can lower your energy bills and also amount to a reduction of 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide a year.
10. Buy less and recycle more
Reduce, reuse and recycle. Always buy used or refurbished electronic gadgets, appliances and do try to reuse and recycle clothes.Just by recycling half of your household waste, you can save up to 2400 lbs of emissions per year. Also, by buying used stuff and recycling old stuff, you save energy, resources and our already overwhelmed landfills too.
11. Produce less trash
Compost your wet garbage and try to reduce your hazardous waste as well as the waste generated through packaging materials. Buy from vendors who recycle their packaging. When you buy less, you use less packaging which helps save energy and consumes fewer resources. You can end up saving lot money and also reducing your CO2 emissions by 1200 lbs by simply cutting your garbage production by a mere 10%.
12. Check your tire pressure
Well inflated tires consume less fuel which, in turn, reduces CO2 emissions.
13. Use power strips and buy an electricity monitor
An electricity monitor can show you the energy hogs in your home. You can buy or borrow one. Power strips for home office or home entertainment centers can help prevent phantom loads.
14. Buy sensibly
This is especially true in case of wooden products or furniture- buy from sustainable forests which store carbon.
Know of any other easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Let us know!