To reduce your carbon footprint, start looking closely at what you are buying. It is no secret that a major contributor to global warming is the consumption of fossil fuels. To enjoy the best benefit from your own carbon footprint reduction efforts, compare the carbon emissions associated with transporting local grown strawberries across the country to your local produce department with those that will fly hundreds of miles to reach your grocer’s produce aisle.
Making Changes
As a consumer, it is your responsibility to take action and reduce your carbon footprint by making informed decisions. What may seem like an insignificant change can be the beginning of a more responsible lifestyle. Consider the amount of fuel you use to drive to work each day. When you find out how much carbon emissions that transportation requires to get you from point A to point B, you will likely be surprised at how much money you could save each year. Consider the amount of fuel needed to take your children to school and if that includes gas-powered cars.
If you own a business, finding ways to reduce your carbon footprint will help you grow your business in a cost-effective way. If you own a restaurant, the carbon emissions that are involved in the delivery of a meal can be a concern. You can choose to source all your vegetables, fruits and fish locally or have your supplier to bring you the products yourself. You can also help by being aware of your own carbon emissions by using less paper towel, using less paper, and reducing the amount of time spent in the restroom.
Actively Reducing Carbon Emissions
In addition to personal actions, you can take steps to reduce your carbon footprint through government programs. In the past, the Environmental Protection Agency has been actively involved in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a recent study estimated that if the EPA would increase its use of clean energy, we could prevent the emission of twenty million tons of carbon dioxide.
In fact, a new proposal in Congress calls for the government to become more proactive in regulating greenhouse gas emissions and requiring larger emitters to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) or an agreement made by several large emitters that they will agree to a uniform set of emission standards for every region in the United States.
Because there is not one single way of reducing your carbon footprint, it is also important to examine all the possible options. You should consider switching to an energy efficient appliance such as an energy star rated refrigerator.
Long Term Strategies
You should replace your air conditioner with a model that is certified to work with lower-emission heat pumps or energy efficient window and floor fans. You should also look into energy efficient lights, appliances that run on batteries, instead of traditional electricity, and other sources of power. It is also important to pay attention to your fuel efficiency ratings when purchasing car parts and appliances.
As you look into ways to reduce your carbon footprint, remember to consider how each of these changes will change your life. By creating a plan for reducing your carbon footprint and finding ways to live more efficiently, you can help to make a real difference to the world we live in today.
