More than 80% of people around the world are already experiencing the effects of climate change.
As temps rise and unpredictable weather patterns destroy homes, people are doing their best to make changes.
If you want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, you should focus on reducing your carbon footprint.
Read further to learn how to reduce carbon emissions in various aspects of your life!
Limit Driving
One of the best tips for learning how to reduce carbon emissions is to drive less.
Each time you get in your car, start the ignition, and accelerate, you increase carbon dioxide. Pressing on the brakes can also cause an increase in the exhaust, explaining why smog accumulates in heavy traffic. Instead of driving, try walking or riding your bike.
If you live in the city, carpooling and public transportation are other excellent alternatives. When the car is unavoidable, opt for fuel-efficient styles and don’t leave your vehicle idling. You can also plan out your day so that you don’t add unnecessary driving time to your schedule.
Insulate Your Home
Understanding what are carbon emissions will help you discover the importance of insulation.
Carbon emissions are the results of burning fossil fuels, typically for energy purposes. If your home has leaks, the HVAC unit will have to work twice as hard to regulate indoor temperatures. Every time your heat turns on, you add carbon dioxide to the environment.
When your HVAC unit can properly work, it utilizes energy more efficiently and leads to less waste. Add insulation stuffing to the interior of your walls, attics, and around the basement. You can also use caulk and weather stripping for the more difficult areas.
The most common places people notice drafts in the house are around doors and windows. The attic, basement, and garage can also contribute to energy waste.
Use LED Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs burn at a higher temperature and absorb more energy than necessary.
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint at home, you should swap your old bulbs for LEDs. LED bulbs are more efficient, worth the investment, and last longer. They don’t require as much energy and the best part is that they don’t release heat around the bulb.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are another alternative to traditional styles. Most hardware stores sell LED bulbs for interior and exterior fixtures. Make sure you confirm the size and maximum wattage your fixture can handle.
Aside from incandescent bulbs burning more energy, you’ll need to make more trips to the store for replacements. The gas you will burn getting traditional bulbs will increase carbon emissions.
Turn Things Off
Whether you have a habit of leaving the lights and TV on or don’t unplug devices, you need to make a change.
If you don’t want to worry about unplugging each item, you can invest in smart power strips. These will give you the ability to preserve energy and control what devices are on. The more energy getting pulled from the power source, the more carbon dioxide you’re creating.
Make it a habit to turn off everything and unplug energy-eaters when you leave the room. This is especially important if you’re going out of town. Only use what’s necessary and you can watch your utility bills and carbon emissions go down.
Switch to Solar Power
Solar power can help you charge your devices and heat your home during the winter.
Many people are investing in solar panels because they produce clean energy and can save money. Although the investment can be large, the government and local communities are willing to reimburse you and help with loans. Before you think it’s out of reach, contact a solar panel company in your area.
Solar energy can be gathered even when there are clouds in the sky. As long as you install the panels on your rooftop or are free of obstruction, you can make the most of the solar rays.
If you’re looking for another tech to clean the air, view https://climeworks.com/direct-air-capture to learn more.
Eat Local Food
Food transportation is to blame for a lot of carbon emissions.
Unfortunately, the heavy-duty trucks used to transport fruit and vegetables require a lot of gas. When trucks transport goods, they release pollutants that are damaging ecosystems.
Eating local foods from the farmers in town can prevent carbon dioxide from increasing. Petroleum-based fuels and fertilizers won’t be necessary if farmers sell to the local market. Instead of buying the marked-up fruit from the grocery, swing by your farmer’s market over the weekend!
If you’re going out for dinner, try looking for restaurants that specialize in local and seasonal foods. These restaurants produce fewer emissions and your support can help encourage others to make the change.
Cut Out Meat
As more research comes out, studies support that plant-based diets are better for the environment.
The meat and dairy industries contribute to a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions. If you aren’t ready to go vegan, you can have meatless days during the week. Plants produce fewer carbon emissions and don’t result in mass cattle.
Cows produce methane during digestion and require many resources. To keep them alive, water, fertilizer, and grains are necessary. Unfortunately, making enough to grow the cows and kill them is hurting the planet.
Plant a Garden
Most people don’t realize it, but plants are one of the strongest defenders against climate change.
Planting a garden in your yard can help reduce carbon dioxide in the soil and air. Plants absorb co2 emissions during photosynthesis and produce oxygen for humans. Planting fruits, vegetables, and herbs is a great way to reduce carbon but there are other options to consider.
Bamboo, holly, and box plants are great for the environment and look pleasing in most landscaping styles. If you want to make a bigger impact, planting pine, cedar, and fir trees are recommended.
Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint in a variety of ways with a garden but there are other benefits. You will have a calming area in the yard to relax and be supporting an entire ecosystem. The bees and butterflies will be thankful that you built them a sanctuary and they can continue pollinating plants.
Recycle
As the landfills grow, so do signs of climate change.
The best way to stop them from increasing is by recycling and reusing products. Materials like plastic, glass, and metal can get sanitized and used again. People in the United States produce a lot of garbage and don’t think twice about what they toss in the trash.
To help ease the transition, buy a few bins and designate each one for specific recycling. You can recycle your garbage and watch it come to life once more. For example, one company is using recycled plastics from the ocean to create glass frames!
Use Natural Cleaning Solutions
Marketing can make you wonder how you’ve ever gone your life without a certain cleaning product.
Cleaning solutions are often made with harmful ingredients that contribute to carbon emissions. It’s no surprise that these cleaning products can damage your skin and lungs with powerful mixtures.
Instead of spending all your money on products that might work, take a look around the house. You can use white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice to get rid of stains and sanitize. Essential oils can even be helpful if water and dish soap isn’t cutting through the grease.
Wash With Cool Water
When you wash the dishes and do the laundry, do you turn the water on hot?
This mistake can cost you money, increase carbon emissions, and put you at risk of ingesting contaminants. The hot water tank requires a lot of energy to warm up water flowing through your pipes. Unfortunately, during the heating process, your water can also get exposed to metals and contaminants.
Cleaning with cool water is much healthier and affordable. You can prevent wasting energy and still leave your clothes and dishes smelling fresh.
Do You Know How to Reduce Carbon Emissions at Home?
Learning how to reduce carbon emissions in small ways can have a big impact.
As more people start practicing these habits, carbon dioxide levels will reduce. You can make minimal changes that improve your mood and health, like planting a garden and eating local foods. Depending on the impact you want to make, you can go green by switching to solar or simply changing out your bulbs.
Don’t underestimate the impact that you can make and try to encourage others to do the same.
Make sure you check out our site for more information about climate change solutions and living sustainably!
