Posted On: 2022-03-11 17:10:14
Have you ever thought about what are we contributing to this world? Why is global warming increasing, how? Why so many species are being extinct? Why are we facing unseasonal natural catastrophes so often? Thanks to us, humans who are not concerned about this world.
Living in the modern age means participating in an endless cycle of consumption and pollution that invariably harms the planet. Human activities are mainly responsible for emissions of carbon dioxide into the environment. Much of the things people do as part of their daily routines are based on the usage of fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal. The burning of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming and constant climate change. We need to reduce our carbon footprints to save the planet.
What is a Carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. Globally, the average carbon footprint is closer to 4 tons. To have the best chance of avoiding a 2? rise in global temperatures, the average global carbon footprint per year needs to drop to under 2 tons by 2050. Carbon footprint is growing at a faster rate and it is due to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels. The majority of energy that is being consumed is channelled from fossil fuels. Thanks to increasing demand for power generation and transport which is due to the growing population. Lowering individual carbon footprints from 16 tons to 2 tons doesn’t happen overnight! By making small changes to our actions we can reduce our carbon footprint.
Why is it important to reduce carbon footprint?
The world's seven billion people consume varying amounts of the planet's resources. According to the United Nations’ predictions, the global population could reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, and over 11 billion by 2100. Growing populations move up the emissions and deplete the planet’s resources.
Increased greenhouse gas emissions have a direct impact on global warming. It accelerates climate change with catastrophic effects on our planet. All of us can contribute to fighting global warming by making climate-friendly options in our daily lives. Reducing your carbon footprint is necessary because it mitigates the consequences of global climate change, improves public health, boosts the global economy, and maintains biodiversity. When we cut carbon emissions we help ensure cleaner air, water, and food for our generation and for generations yet to come. Read our blog on human activities contributing to the climate change.
Ways to reduce carbon footprint
1. Cutting down on meat:
Meat and Dairy are responsible for 14.5 per cent of manmade global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from feed production and processing and the methane (25 times more powerful than CO2 at entrapping heat in the atmosphere over 100 years) that beef and sheep emit out. So eating a vegan diet is the best solution, however, it’s not feasible for many.
2. Reduce your food waste:
By planning meals ahead of time, using the used materials for the next meal and freezing the excess. Eating organic and composting the leftovers is a good way of controlling the wastage.
3. Don’t buy fast fashion:
Fashionable clothes, cheap items that go out of style quickly get dumped in landfills where they produce methane as they decompose. A major per cent of these dumps are ended up in landfills. Decomposing requires the use of fossil fuels. Instead, buy quality clothing that will last long. Consider, buying vintage or recycled clothing at local shops.
4. Do not overshop!
Buy things that will be used in the near future. Do not buy without planning also, buy used or recycled items whenever possible. Bring your reusable bag when you shop. Try to avoid items with excess packaging. If you want to buy a new computer, opt for a laptop instead of a desktop, as laptops require less energy to charge and operate than desktops. If shopping for appliances, lighting, office equipment or electronics, look for Energy Star products, which are certified to be more energy efficient.
5. Do an energy audit:
Auditing of your home. This audit will show how you use or waste energy and help identify ways to be more energy-efficient. Change incandescent light bulbs as they last longer than the LEDs. They are also preferable to compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs, which emit 80 percent of their energy as heat and contain mercury.
6. Switch lights off!
When you leave the room and unplug your electronic devices when they are not in use. Turn your water heater down. Installing a low-flow showerhead. Taking shorter showers helps, too. Shut your charger off at night. Use candles or oil base lights sometimes. Use less air conditioning in the summer; instead opt for fans, which require less electricity. And check out these other ways to beat the heat without air conditioning. Look up to get your electricity from clean energy through your local utility or a certified renewable energy provider. By turning off it would reduce energy & in turn, reduce the carbon footprint.
7. Travel without leaving your carbon footprint
Electricity increasingly comes from natural gas and renewable energy, transportation became the major source of CO2 emissions. An average car produces about five tons of CO2 each year (although this varies according to the type of car, its fuel efficiency and how it’s driven).
One could walk or cycle to the nearest destination rather than driving. With this solution, you will save money, burn less fuel & reduce your carbon footprint as well. For long-distance take public transportation, carpool, ride share or bike to your destination when possible. Air travelling is probably responsible for the largest part of your carbon footprint. Avoid flying if possible. On shorter trips, driving may emit fewer greenhouse gases. Fly nonstop since landings and takeoffs use more additional fuel and produce more emissions. Fly in economy class. Business-class is responsible for almost three times as many emissions as the economy. If you can’t avoid flying, compensate for the carbon emissions of your travel.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide that will be beneficial for our surroundings. When it comes to withdrawing human-caused emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from Earth's atmosphere, trees are a big help. Through photosynthesis, trees remove the gas out of the air to help grow their leaves, branches and roots. Forest soils can also sequester vast reservoirs of carbon. Trees absorb anywhere between 10 and 40kg of CO2 per year on average, depending on a whole host of factors. So, GO GREEN.
Do your bit! STARTING NOW!! Making small changes can create a lot of differences. Not informing you that cut down yourself on meat or stop using AC’s just appealing to an audience if they can at least try to make changes in your surroundings that would contribute towards reducing global warming, it would not only make them better but also it would make the environment healthier. Keep in mind that you’re allowed to transition as slowly as you like, as long as you are doing something important. Just feel free to do something on your terms, and these tips will help you to start your journey toward a renewed way of sustainable living.
Hoping this world to be more GREEN.
Author : Lubdha Dhanopia
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