Ways To Lessen Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint is a term used to define how your daily energy choices affect the environment. According to the website Carbon Footprint, your footprint is made of up two parts, the emissions of fossil fuels you use, such as driving, and the emissions of fossil fuels you consume, like things you purchase. Small changes in your lifestyle can lessen your carbon footprint.

Energy Usage

The amount of energy you use has a direct correlation to your carbon footprint. Be mindful of all electrical appliances in your house. Unplug appliances you rarely use and completely turn off electronic items like televisions by using a power strip instead of the on/off button. According to the National Resources Defense Council, those appliances in standby mode consume as much energy as a 75 watt bulb. Take other positive steps by running your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads, drying your clothes on a clothesline and setting the thermostat on your heating and cooling system a few degrees higher or lower depending on the season.

Waste

Every time you throw an item into a trash can, you are creating waste. That waste will most likely go into a landfill, never to be used productively again. By following the EPA's four principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and respond, you can lessen your carbon footprint. Reduce the amount of trash you discard by recycling whenever possible and choosing products that use less packaging. Reuse items as many times as possible instead of throwing them away and donate your unwanted household items to charity for someone else to enjoy. Respond by teaching others in your life how to reduce waste.

Buy Close to Home

Most of the food you buy at the grocery store has traveled thousands of miles. Lessen your carbon footprint and support the local economy by purchasing food that is locally grown whenever possible. Look for grocery stores that feature local produce or buy produce from your farmer's market. When you shop in stores, choose items that are made close to where you live, rather than items that were flown long distances. Drink water from your own tap rather than purchasing bottled water. Bottled water in your grocery store has likely been transported a long distance.

Transportation

The emissions from cars we drive and planes we take add to our carbon footprint. You can lessen your personal impact by reducing your travel. When possible, walk or ride your bike to your office or the store. If you use public transportation once a week and save 30 miles of driving, in just one year "you can prevent the release of more than 1,500 pounds of CO2," according to the website Transportation Solutions. When you do drive, make sure your car is properly serviced and the tires are inflated correctly. Choose a more energy efficient vehicle next time you make a car purchase.