We often hear the term carbon footprint in science programs, magazines, environmental talks, and related platforms. Today we are going to discuss what actually is carbon footprint. We will also discuss how you can calculate your carbon footprint.
This is not all, we will also shed light on why there is a need to reduce our carbon. Last but not the least, we will explore various ways that we can implement to reduce our carbon footprint. We are doing this in an effort to create awareness and help people live that can protect our environment.
Contact us if you have any questions regarding your carbon footprint or if you want to get your free energy audit done. You can also get in touch with us to inquire about solar to offset your carbon footprint. We can provide you with customized Solar Solutions to help you reduce your carbon footprint.
What is Carbon Footprint?
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from all of a person’s or another entity’s (e.g., building, corporation, country, etc.) operations is known as their “carbon footprint”. It comprises direct emissions from the production of electricity used to power the consumption of products and services, as well as indirect emissions from the burning of fossil fuels in manufacturing, heating, and transportation. Moreover, the idea of a carbon footprint frequently takes into account other greenhouse gas emissions as well, like those from methane, nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint?
Well, there are various ways to calculate your carbon footprint. We are going to discuss these methods below:
Use An Online Calculator
You can simply go to Google search and type Carbon footprint calculator and hit the search button. You will see a number of options. You can choose any of the options available. While some are more detailed and some are pretty basic, they all give you an approximate idea of your carbon footprint at the very least. So you can use any of these to have a basic idea of how much carbon footprint you have.
Manually Calculate It
You can also calculate your carbon footprint without using any online calculator. We are using the method made by Alexandra Shimo, an award-winning Canadian writer and the author of “The Environment Equation”. Just grab a paper, a pen and any calculator (maybe the one in your phone) and follow the steps below:
- Multiply your monthly electric bill by 105
- Multiply your monthly gas bill by 105
- Multiply your monthly oil bill by 113
- Multiply your total yearly mileage on your car by 0.79
- multiply the number of flights (4 hours or fewer) you’ve taken in the past year by 1,100.
- The number of flights you’ve taken in the past year that lasted four hours or more multiplied by 4,400
- If you don’t recycle newspaper, add 184
- If you don’t recycle aluminium and tin, add 166
- For your complete carbon footprint, add together 1 through 8
No matter the method you use, it is important to know how much carbon footprint you have. Awareness is the first step to change. If you know the damage you are doing to the environment, you will know the importance of the change you can make.
Why Do You Need To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
After hearing so much about carbon emissions and footprints, you might be wondering why you should try to lower them. One person can only have so much influence, especially in comparison to institutions like the government and large corporations. In fact, it is impossible to deny the strong and clear connections between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The world’s average temperature is rising, extreme weather events are getting worse, ocean levels are rising, and there is acidification. These environmental dangers are all a result of human activities.
You can contribute to the general decline in greenhouse gas emissions by reducing your carbon footprint. Everyone’s tiny changes in the battle against climate change can have a tremendous impact. Also, it goes beyond the environment. You may live a healthy lifestyle and save money by lowering your carbon footprint. These advantages of minimizing your carbon footprint also mean you’re contributing to the fight against climate change, whether it’s through cleaner air, a healthier diet, or lower energy costs.
Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
After awareness comes action and we are going to tell you a number of ways in which you can act to lower your carbon footprint. We have ensured that most o the things written below can be implemented by majority of the people in their lives. By enabling the masses to bring down their carbon footprint, we can make huge impact because together we can change the world. Now, let’s see in what ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Switch To Renewables
Renewables are the easiest and most effective ways of counterbalancing and reducing your carbon footprint. By installing solution like a Solar System, you can offset carbon footprint that is equivalent to the work of several trees. This not only benefits you by producing free electricity and saving money on electricity bills, but it can also help create a green and clean planet.
Insulate Your Home Well
Heating your home can be a costly and energy-consuming procedure. You can ensure that your home maintains heat in the winter and remains cool in the summer by insulating areas such as your loft and walls. You’ll consume less energy as a result, lowering your carbon footprint and household expenses.
Be Energy Efficient
Every year, electrical appliances improve their efficiency. Also, a lot of nations now display a product’s efficiency, enabling you to make an educated decision. You can make your home more environmentally friendly by using energy-saving light bulbs and appliances. Be sure to unplug and switch off any devices you are not using.
Reduce Water Consumption
Processing and delivering water to our houses requires both energy and resources. Furthermore, heating it once it is there also consumes a lot of energy. Hence, you may protect the environment and reduce your carbon footprint by using less. Consider taking brief showers instead of baths, turning off the faucets when brushing your teeth, and only boiling the water you actually need.
Use Less Lights At Work
Powering unoccupied offices and rooms uses a lot of electricity. You may avoid wasting energy by making sure to turn off lights and appliances when they’re not in use. To solve the problem, you might alternatively ask to have automatic, motion-detecting lighting and energy-efficient LED bulbs installed.
Change Your Eating Habits
Use locally processed food because it is produced and processed locally. Moreover, by not using imported food products, you can help with local economy and reduce the carbon footprint accumulated in shipment of foreign products. Also, eat healthy and lesser from outside because international brands and even local eateries consume a lot of electricity and are responsible for a lot of emissions.
Go Digital
We are live in the digital era and by switching to digital products, you can also save the environment. By going digital we mean that instead or sending printed letters, send emails or SMS. Instead of using printed documents and books, use ebooks or pdf. Digital products also have a carbon footprint when saved in cloud, however, you can reduce the impact of cutting down trees for paper which is much more significant.
Cycle Or Walk
Two of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation are cycling and walking. Also, they’re healthy for your health as well as the environment. You can significantly lessen the effect of emissions from your car by choosing to walk or cycling where you can.
Do Not Use Single-Use Plastic
Although single-use plastics are practical, they are actually very bad for the environment. In addition to polluting our oceans and streams, they also use energy to make and recycle. You can lessen the carbon impact of your business by ceasing to use throwaway items like silverware and coffee cups.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
All sizes of businesses utilize a wide range of various items on a daily basis. Everything has a carbon footprint, including paper, electronics, packaging, and water. You can actually change things by cutting back on the garbage you produce, recycling rubbish, and reusing IT equipment.
Use Public Transport
Each mile driven, gasoline-powered vehicles like taxis have a tendency to release a lot of carbon dioxide. Because the majority of these greenhouse gas emissions are only shared by a small number of individuals, this mode of transportation uses a lot of energy. Many people use public transportation including trains, buses, and coaches, which are frequently more environmentally friendly types of transportation.
Reduce Air-Travel Stops
More than any other means of transportation, flying has the highest carbon impact. A domestic flight emits 121g of various pollutants in addition to 133g of CO2. If you must travel by air, try to limit the number of stops along the way, ideally by flying straight to your destination.
Mindful Shopping
By this we mean two different things. One is that whenever you are buying something, make sure you really need it. Buying extra products that you do not require is not only bad for your savings but it also increases the carbon emissions when factories try to fulfill the extra demand. The second is that you should always shop from brands that are environmentally responsible and use sustainable practices. This encourages them and other brands to adopt such practices that benefit the environment.
Plant Trees
No matter if you have a garden space or not, you can always plant trees in your local community parks or other similar areas. Due to increasing awareness on environment protection and reforestation, municipalities allow individuals to plant trees in green belts and parks. By planting trees, you are not only offsetting your carbon footprint but also doing a good deed that can benefit you for a long time.
Final Say
Our planet’s future literally rests on us doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint. Because it lessens the effects of global climate change, enhances public health, stimulates the world economy, and preserves biodiversity, lowering your carbon footprint is crucial. Not only do it yourself, spread awareness and encourage your family and friends to reduce their carbon footprint as well. This is important because by reducing carbon emissions, we can ensure that future generations will enjoy access to healthier air, water, and food.
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