by Cole Runyan
What’s a carbon footprint?
Put simply, your carbon footprint is the indicator of your average carbon emissions based on your lifestyle. The affecting factors can include anything from what car you drive to how much red meat you consume. If you are consistently mindful of these factors, one person can have a great impact on carbon emissions. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to begin reducing your carbon footprint today.
Step 1: Eat less meat
According to this article, beef and dairy emissions are responsible for nearly 15% of all global emissions. One single pound of beef requires nearly 5,000 gallons of water to make – therefore making the beef and dairy industry the number one freshwater consumer in the world. Huffpost explains that the average American will consume 8.5 ounces of meat per day. Cutting out meat or dairy of your daily ritual will greatly reduce your carbon footprint.
Step 2: Plant a garden
A well known fact about plants is their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Typically, urban areas suffer from what is known as heat islands; areas of dense heat absorbing materials such as pavement or buildings. By planting a garden, you can help reduce the heating of an area greatly, in turn reducing carbon emissions and your carbon footprint. Trees and greenhouses also yield the same effects of reducing heat islands and carbon emissions.
Step 3: Drive less or carpool
Walking, cycling or taking the bus to work substantially decreases one’s carbon footprint. Taking the subways, train or carpooling for your commute will greatly reduce emissions as well. Many cities are now accommodating a lifestyle where car ownership is not required, a catalyst for change where carbon emissions are concerned.
Step 4: Line-dry your laundry
According to The Guardian, one dryer load of laundry uses 5 times more electricity than washing. By line-drying your clothes, you can greatly reduce your own carbon footprint. This may sound impractical for most people, however, it goes a long way to know that running a clothes dryer is equivalent to leaving 225 light bulbs on for an hour. By utilizing alternative methods for washing and drying your laundry, not only are you reducing your carbon emission levels, but saving money as well.
Step 5: Shop for produce locally
Buying your produce locally ensures that what you are buying hasn’t been imported from elsewhere, guaranteeing a lower carbon emission footprint. Import and export emissions from planes and trucks affect the carbon levels on the planet significantly. Local produce grown in gardens and greenhouses also serve to lower carbon emissions.
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