Carbon footprints are considered as the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the life of a specific product or service, right through its production, usage and disposal stages. Your carbon footprint would be measured as the amount of greenhouse gases emitted on account of your actions. If you are intent on reducing your carbon footprint in a bid to do your part to save the environment, then here are some simple lifestyle changes that can help you achieve your goals easily.
Join a like-minded group
A number of online tools would enable you to get an estimate of your carbon footprint by simply asking for your household size, location and income along with a few other basic questions. The estimate thus generated would enable you to know where you stand and the actions needed on your part to reach the estimate. These tools would also help you get in touch with other households with the same purpose so that you can compare your carbon footprint profiles and jointly discuss reduction strategies for the same.
Switch to efficient lighting options
Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs or LEDs would enable you to save plenty in energy usage costs. Plus, it would help reduce your carbon footprint to a great extent considering the fact that a conventional light bulb (the standard variety) can emit up to 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide in its lifecycle.
Purchase energy efficient products and appliances
Switching to energy efficient appliances would reduce up to two thirds of the greenhouse gases emitted by your household on a regular basis. An energy efficient product/appliance is said to meet government standards when it comes to efficiency and will help you save a lot of energy while reducing your carbon footprint significantly.
Opt for locally sourced products
You can reduce the carbon footprint associated with packaging and transport by opting for locally sourced products, including foods, clothes, appliances and even furniture. Instead of visiting large supermarkets that usually stock up on foreign goods, consider visiting smaller stores, local farmers’ markets, consignment shops and thrift stores to get all that your house would need locally.
Get an Energy Audit
Another important step in adopting a greener lifestyle is do an energy audit of your house. This will enable you to know which appliances use up too much power. You can do a simple energy audit yourself or call a professional for more accurate results. This in turn, would help you plan your home’s energy usage accordingly as well as find out problem areas like leaks that could be costing you plenty in terms of energy usage costs.
Conserve water
Conserving water could reduce over 30% of your carbon footprint. Make sure you fix leaks and drips that could cost you dearly in terms of water usage costs. Set up a rainwater harvesting system outside your home to collect rainwater and re-purpose it for landscaping and other activities. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full. Make sure to turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Smart Landscaping
In addition to using the water from the rain water harvesting system to water the plants in your garden, consider these additional tips. Water the plants either late in the evening or early in the morning to prevent evaporation. Grow native plants that would use less amounts of water when compared to other outdoor plants Also allow the grass to grow a bit taller as it would provide shade and prevent the water from evaporating fast.
Walk or Carpool
Instead of driving your own car to work, consider carpooling with others to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also walk or bike to work if that is feasible.
Summary
Reducing your carbon footprint requires some creative, and some simple approaches. Just dive in and do your bit for the environment.