If you’re reading this, you’re probably already trying to reduce your carbon footprint. We’re here to give you some tips to make an impact in your day-to-day life that don’t cost the earth and don’t take too much of your time. Read on to discover 5 ways to fight global warming in your everyday life!
1. Save energy at home.
If you haven’t already read our previous blog on saving energy at home, now is the time! Here’s a summary of some of the tips and new savvy ones.
Buy better light bulbs. Replacing one regular light bulb with a LED light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year and will last 10 times longer. Unplugging your devices when not in use also takes you about 1 second and will help you save on your electricity bill. Electricity accounts for 38% of carbon emission, and keeping dormant devices plugged in is one of the reasons why. This probably must be one of the easiest ways to fight global warming, it only requires a quick tug!
Finally, another way to fight global warming is to power your home with renewable energy. Choose a utility company that offers the option to provide you with wind, solar energy or any other type of renewable energy source!
Photo: Plug Socket (Source: Unsplash)
2. Green your commute
Transport such as cars, buses and other road vehicles represent 37% of global carbon emission. In the United Kingdom only, domestic transport is believed to be responsible for emitting 122 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. A very easy way for you to try and reduce your emissions, is to walk, cycle or take public transportation, wherever and whenever you can.
If you must use your car, then make sure to maintain it properly. Did you know tires that are not inflated correctly are less round and require more energy to move and keep the speed up? This can lead to gas waste as well as large amounts of carbon dioxide being released in the atmosphere. A study led by the US Environmental Protection Agency has shown that any vehicle moving on tires that aren’t inflated properly releases 1.5 extra tons of greenhouse gazes in the atmosphere annually. So, taking care of your car will reduce the amount of time and money you spend at the gas station, and will also minimize your impact on the environment. It’s a win-win!
Photo: Commuter on bike (Source: Unsplash)
3. Make your diet more climate-friendly
What we eat has a direct impact on the environment, and there are ways to reduce it. Firstly, it is essential to eat less meat as it accounts for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gases from food production. Purchasing seasonal and local products when possible is another way to help our planet. As well as supporting your local economy, seasonal fruits & vegetables don’t require artificial lightning or heating! Food waste is another big environmental issue. Did you know that more than 30% of the produced food is wasted? Some easy tips are to freeze the things you can’t eat while fresh to eat later, and buy the exact amount you need. Treesy peasy!
Photo: Variety of vegetables (Source: Pexels)
4. Recycle
Recycling means converting waste into new products, which decreases the need for virgin materials. This leads to less dependence on fossil fuels for converting raw materials. It also reduces the amount of waste in the landfill, where methane, an extremely toxic gas for the environment, is released due to decomposition. Recycling prevents the incineration of landfill trash, which releases millions of tons of greenhouses into the atmosphere. Another form of recycling at home would be to compost your food. Instead of throwing your food away to waste, collect it in a compost bin which can then be collected by your local council or used in your garden! This is a small act, but it has a treemendous impact in the fight against global warming!
Photo: Plastic bottle (Source: Unsplash)
5. Shop responsibly
Another way for you to fight global warming in your day-to-day life would be to shop responsibly. One study showed that the production and use of household goods and services represents 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the same way that we need to modify our eating habits, it is essential that we change our shopping habits. For instance, if you need a new jacket, instead of purchasing it in a fast fashion shop, consider thrift shopping! Charity shops and vintage shops are a way of recycling and repurposing old clothes, plus, it’s super fun to make an experience out of it with friends!
Photo: Woman browsing through clothes (Source: Unsplash)
Try these out and see if these help you become the planet hero you’ve always wanted to be!
