6 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

The topic of climate change is quite a familiar one and has been trending for a while now. By watching your local news, you will witness the impacts of climate change on daily lives from floods to wildfires.

It is evident that climate change is overwhelming world leaders. Researchers have continued to witness a temperature rise. The sea levels have also risen, according to reports.

Discussions to provide solutions to these adverse conditions are continuing. However, few agreed conclusions have been the results. Every individual can reduce their carbon footprint. Your efforts in lowering carbon may seem small but have a significant impact on the climate.

Here are six ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Eating Less Meat

Adopting a plant-based diet is an effective way that you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. The consumption of meat contributes to climate change. By limiting your meat intake, you will be able to create a significant difference.

Agribusinesses emit greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment. Red meat also increases your water consumption to eleven times the usual requirements. Compared to poultry, red meat can produce five times the emissions.

You do not have to turn to a vegan, but limiting your meat intake will help.

1. Unplug Your Devices

Leaving your electronics plugged into the socket can lead to a loss of energy. Your electronics can suck energy from the source even when not charging.

Once your device is fully charged, you should unplug it to save energy. Estimates state that the U.S loses about $19 Billion in energy to plugged devices. Vampire energy contributes to the carbon footprint in a significant way. Therefore, leaving your devices unplugged will reduce the vampire energy.

1. Use of Renewable Sources of Energy

Compared to fossil fuel, renewable energy is efficient in reducing greenhouse gases. It would help if you powered your home with renewable sources to reduce your carbon footprint. You can request utility providers to source your house’s energy from renewable sources.

Solar panels are a good way you can generate renewable energy at home. The energy is also sustainable, and it will reduce your utility costs in the long run. You can also use other renewable sources of energy that include:

• Geothermal energy
• Wind energy
• Hydroelectric energy
• Biomass energy
• Tidal energy

All these can serve as alternatives for fossil fuels.

1. Plant a Garden

Net Zero states that cities should incorporate green spaces and urban forestry. However, there are fewer sustainable cities due to a lack of green spaces. You can plant a garden in your area to reduce your carbon footprint.

Planting some plants will also contribute to a green city with low carbon emissions. Your plants will absorb carbon dioxide from the environment.

Apart from contributing to oxygen levels, plants will also offer you other benefits. Planting green vegetables can also allow you to get surplus food for your house. Moreover, plants with beautiful flowers can be beautiful and have pleasant scents.

Green plants are also known to reduce emotional distress. Vegetation will also provide you with shades and reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Avoid Buying Fast Fashion

Most of the clothes you wear are not disposable as you think. The term fast fashion means an endless cycle of cheap clothes. To justify buying the latest styles, most clothes that you buy will end up in trash bins.

According to Fashion, out of the 15.1 million tons of textiles generated in 2013, 12.8 million tons became waste. When you buy quantity over quality, recycling the garment becomes hard.

Most of the retailers that you buy from are pushing for new trends every other time. What used to be four fashion cycles per year have now increased to 15 to lure you into buying.

Most of the clothes you wear are not organic cotton, instead made of genetically modified (GM) cotton. The fashion industry thus contributes to environmental degradation.

These clothes reduce biodiversity and affect human health. Therefore, reduce the carbon footprint by buying fewer garments. Moreover, you can purchase organic textiles that are recyclable and do not have chemicals.

1. Drive Less

Cycling and walking can be very beneficial to your health. By reducing the use of cars, you can significantly reduce the amount of carbon footprint in the environment.

Public transport can also be a good way you can reduce environmental degradation. Common options include:

• Trains
• Subways
• Buses

Ensure you play your part to ensure that carbon emissions are fewer. Environmental organizations have guidelines that you can follow to aid their efforts. The world needs saving, and you can be the superhero.