Carbon Footprint!
What is it and why should you care?
Everyone knows they need to step up and do their bit to help the environment.
Greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, plastic pollution, and the squandering of Earth’s natural resources have been issues for decades.
The earth needs our help. Future generations need us to help our earth. #carbonfootprint Click To TweetIn general, it is up to the governments and corporations of this world to initiate lasting change. They are the ones with the power to make important decisions. They are the ones that can launch the policies we need to reduce emissions and save the natural landscape. But as an individual, you can do a lot too.
The average carbon footprint for a human is 16 tons. To have the best chance of reducing global warming to sustainable levels, this figure would need to drop to two tons.
Throughout your lifetime, the decisions and changes you make will make a big difference. They may also inspire countless others to do the same.
You are constantly told to do things like recycling and switching off the tap while you brush your teeth. These are of course essential, but these small tips may also make people complacent. Very few people on this planet are doing enough to help Mother Earth.
There are so many changes you can make to your life that will have a positive impact, but some actions are more significant than others.
Here are the three biggest things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
Eat less meat
The prospect of going vegetarian or vegan was much less appetizing a few decades ago than it is now.
Back then, there were very few alternative options and most restaurants would only have one vegetarian dish on their menu, if that. But now there are countless plant-based foodstuffs and vegan restaurants on every street offering an enormous range of delicious meals. It is so easy to eat less meat that there are few excuses for not doing so. Food agriculture, particularly, cattle, has a monumental impact on the environment and is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
By cutting down the amount of meat you eat to one or two days per week, you will help to reduce this.
Commute sustainably
It’s not currently practical for everyone to scrap their cars and go everywhere by bike, but you can still make an effort to travel more sustainably. Don’t drive when you could use a more environmentally-friendly form of transportation instead. Ride to work on two wheels, get up early and walk, or get a bus pass and use public transportation. You’ll be healthier, you’ll save money, and will reduce your contribution to climate change.
Go solar
Solar power is one of the cleanest, greenest sources of energy, yet it is massively underrated. Making your home solar-powered is one of the best things you can do to save the planet. It will save you a great deal of money in the long term as well as offering a sustainable way of living. Visit https://www.choosesolar.com to learn more.
Powering your home with solar energy is great for the environment, but you need to make sure you’re not wasting energy through other parts of your home. Install insulation, seal any gaps around windows and doors and replace any cracked or broken window panes. Here you can see some examples of what you can do with energy-efficient replacement glass and frames.
Insider Tip: We found that paying our Solar in full offered many more benefits than leasing it. be sure to ask about restrictions for rebates, etc. if you are leasing. Ask the solar company and your electric company.
Naturally Yours,
Elise Ho, Ph.D., D.N.Psy
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Thank you
20 thoughts on “Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with these 3 Tips”
These are all great options for reducing our carbon foot print. What a timely post with earth day next week.
Thank you. I got the ball rolling early.
I am one of those who has become a bit complacent I’m afraid. I’ve traded in disposable utensils, straws, and baggies for reusables. I watch my water consumption and unplug appliances I am not using. I’ve quit using drive-ups, which was a big step for me. But it’s probably time for me to start thinking of the next bigger step I can take. Thank you for reminding me there is more I can do. I’m coming to you from the Bloggers Pit Stop.
Thank you for being here. You are taking many steps to help Mother Earth (and your family). From no more drive-ups to reusable bags and more, you are committed to the practice. What is the next step for you?
I would love to see more practical tips. I can cut back on meat, but have no interest in becoming vegan or vegetarian. What about dairy? How do vegans get dairy? or is taht off the table? Asking sincerely, not a crank. I do need to walk more I am close enough to the grocery store and library and almost anywhere else in town I would need to go. Thank you for this post.
Michele
Michele, vegan consume no animal products so there would be no dairy as that comes from an animal. Typically, folks use nut milks and nut based cheeses and yogurts as a substitute. However, cutting back on meat does not mean you have to go vegan (or vegetarian) Even avoiding meat for 1-2 meals a week can make a huge difference.
Spot on! Loved your three tips and glad to say I atleast two of these and on to solar next 😀
That is awesome. You are well on your way!
I really promote solar energy. I even collaborated with one company / start-up to promote it. I think it’s more sustainable.
That is wonderful that you promote solar energy. Solar energy has grown tremendously in popularity over the years while shrinking in price. It is a beautiful thing.
The best way to give back to our environment is to be mindful and maintain a sustainable way of living. Good practice can influence others to follow too..
Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, anytime. The positive effects are great for everyone involved.
I agree with all of these. I’d like to adopt a plant-based diet for my overall health. I’d also like to use a solar panel to reduce our electricity bill.
Have you already started taking steps in that direction?
When it is said that it takes very little to do good for the environment and oneself. I’ll start with these small but important steps.
Taking those small steps is important. Small steps can add up to big change.
It is amazing how much you can contribute to reducing your carbon footprint by just becoming vegetarian. I just started my vegan diet this year and now I am more motivated to continue.
Kevin, that is exciting. Simply eating more vegetables offers many wonderful things.
I love these tips. I’ve been doing everything I can to reduce my carbon footprint and my strain on the environment in general. The only thing I haven’t been able to do yet is eat less meat. I read somewhere that they’re experimenting with making protein from bugs, and I’d be down for that.
You are more brave than I. I am not too keen on the idea of eating bugs. However, I have read a great deal regarding Cricket Protein. It is supposed to be quite “smooth” and it is definitely rich in protein.