In the face of the sheer number of natural calamities and climate change, it is the responsibility of each individual to exercise caution to make sure that they are doing their best to keep the environment healthy and sustainable for future generations. Whether it is by planting trees or reducing the power load, people can use multiple methods to reduce their carbon footprints through simple activities every day. Fortunately, there are simple ways to achieve this goal that will benefit everyone in the long run. Here are 9 aspects that you can alter from your end to reduce your carbon footprint
- Food – Eating more plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, etc will help. Dairy and meat are responsible for the emission of around 14.5% of manmade greenhouse gas. Choosing organic and local food and engaging in composting and the reduction of waste will be significantly helpful. You can also buy your food in bulk.
- Clothing – Simple changes regarding clothing can be highly effective like buying items that will last longer instead of going for trends. Vintage or recycled clothes will be a much better option environmentally. Additionally, washing your clothes in cold water will help the enzymes in the detergent work better. It is also highly beneficial for the environment
- Shopping – The first rule regarding shopping would be to buy less stuff – get only what you need. Use reusable bags and look for products that are more sustainable for the environment. For example, use a bathroom cleaner that is organic instead of one loaded with toxins. Electric appliances can also be the ones that are energy efficient
- Transport – Transportation is one of the biggest sources of CO2 emissions. Making changes in how you travel can help. As far as possible, try to walk or use a cycle. Carpooling while going to work can also reduce traffic congestion in the city. Taking good care of your vehicles with regular tire management, better fuel efficiency, etc will help. Use an EV.
- Air travel – The largest contributing factor to carbon footprints would be air travel. Avoid flying as much as possible and use the train system wherever you can. Takeoffs and landings use and emit more fuel, direct flights would, therefore, be recommended.
- Cleaning – While cleaning your house, the products that you may usually opt for may contain toxins. Using a cleaner for kitchen items, utensils, dishwashers, repellents, etc that are made from herbal and plant-based extracts would be advantageous for the environment and the people using them. Repeated use of chemically-induced cleaning products can harm health and can pollute the surroundings.
- Home – Switch off the lights whenever they are not in use. This is the first rule most of us grow up with. Use more LED lights – they might cost more but they use 1/4th of the energy of other incandescent lights and last 25x longer. Use less air conditioning in the summer seasons and opt for fans or coolers.
- Waste production – If you stop and reduce the use of plastics in the forms of bags, packaging, and product packets, and also recycle the waste items, it can be highly sustainable to reduce your carbon footprints. Ensure that you are segregating your waste materials as well.
- Conserve water – Wasting water can cause significant harm to the environment. If you use and waste more water, it can add to the carbon footprints and water scarcity issues. Use the geyser as less as possible – try to opt for automatic geysers so that you do not have to worry about turning them off.
Join the revolutionary change of reducing your carbon footprints and be a part of this necessary change that most people are attempting to make for the future of the planet. This is an issue that requires urgent action from every citizen in each country for the collective best! Since time is running out for us to save the planet, take suitable actions every day. Since individual efforts are a big part of the greater good, making even smaller changes in your habits can lead to a bright, sustainable, and environmentally healthy future.
