8 ways to reduce your carbon footprint
The first step is understanding what makes up your carbon footprint. The next step is to do what you can to reduce it.
Understanding your personal carbon footprint is the first step towards doing your part to fight climate change. Your carbon footprint is made up of several lifestyle factors, including your diet, how you get around (both locally and your flight patterns), the size of your home and where it gets its electricity from, and your spending habits. There are other factors that are important too, such as your investment portfolio, the number of children that you have, and if you have pets.
Here are eight simple tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life right now that will help you reduce your carbon footprint.
1. DIET - Eat one less meal of meat per week
Animal products, specifically red meat from pork and beef have a significantly higher carbon footprint than protein alternatives derived from plants. Try removing one meal consisting of red meat from your diet this month, and next month, try to remove two.
Source - Poore and Nemecek, 2018
2. DIET - Try plant-based milk alternatives
There are tons of milk alternatives on the market that, in our opinion, are just as tasty as milk, while also boasting a significantly lower carbon footprint. Some of our favourites include Earth’s Own Oat Milk and Elmhurst Cashew Milk.
3. TRAVEL - Walk and bike around more
If you live in a city, the next time you need to run an errand, walk or bike there! Not only is it better for your health, but it’ll reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
4. TRAVEL - Offset your flight emissions
Travelling is incredible, and one of the best ways to relax and learn about all of the amazing things that our Earth has to offer. But travelling by plane contributes significantly to global warming. So next time you set off to explore our Earth, offset the emissions of your flight. Did you know that you can also offset your personal carbon footprint? See below!
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5. HOUSING - Power your house with renewable energy
While many countries are investing in the development and distribution of renewable energy to their citizens, it’s likely that your house is still powered, in part, by high-carbon energy sources like fossil fuels or coal. Consider paying $10-$20 a month through resources like Bullfrog Power to power your house entirely with renewable, clean energy!
6. HOUSING - Compost, compost, compost!
Did you know that landfills are a major contributor of methane to our atmosphere and that methane has 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide? Scary right! Well, composting not only reduces methane emissions by preventing biodegradable materials from entering landfills, but it can also be used to nourish your summertime garden, and to keep your indoor plants healthy.
Composting can range from backyard bins to industrial-scale operations. It converts organic waste into soil carbon, averting landfill methane emissions in the process. {{Project Drawdown}}
7. SPENDING HABITS - Visit farmers' markets
Much of the produce that you purchase at your typical grocery store is imported from other countries. This means that the tomato you just ate from Mexico, or that arugula in your salad from the Netherlands has a high carbon footprint. Purchasing your produce from farmers’ markets means that it came from local farms that are usually not more than a couple of hours away. With that, you’ll get tastier produce that has a much lower carbon implications.
