Going green and being more environmentally friendly is an increasingly popular goal. Many people want to stop harming the environment and start doing their part to make things better. However, not everyone knows the best way to go about doing this. There are a number of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint--some easy and others a bit harder to do.
Home
One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce your home-energy use. Steps you can take to do this include keeping your home cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer, reducing energy loss by stopping leaks and insulating your home, turning off lights when not in the room, using Energy Star-rated appliances, turning off and unplugging appliances and electronics when not using them, and lowering the temperature of your hot water heater.
Although it costs more, you can also purchase green power instead of "dirty" power, according to Collin Dunn of Discovery's Planet Green. Depending on your location, some utility companies give this option, offering solar power, wind power and other green energy for resale to their customers.
Conserving water, purchasing fewer products and products that create less waste, and recycling are also great steps to take when reducing your carbon footprint. Eating vegetarian meals, at least part of the time, can also reduce your carbon footprint significantly, Dunn says.
Work
It is also possible to reduce your carbon footprint at the office. Consider turning your computer off instead of leaving it on or on standby, not printing documents that you don't need a hard copy of and printing double-sided copies for those documents you do need to print, and turning off lights when you are not in the room.
Try to find a more environmentally friendly way to get to and from work as well, whether it is carpooling, biking, walking or taking public transportation.
Car
When you purchase a car, choose the most fuel-efficient option that will suit your needs. Keep your car well maintained, with the tires at the proper pressure. Develop driving habits that minimize your gas usage, including not starting and stopping suddenly, and maintaining a steady speed at the speed limit. If your household requires multiple cars but you can't afford to purchase energy-efficient models for both cars, make the one that's used the most for commuting energy efficient, suggests Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit provider of carbon offsets and climate solutions.
Travel
When you want to go on vacation, staying close to home is best if you intend to reduce your carbon footprint. Taking a train can be a better option for the environment than flying, but if you do have to fly, nonstop flights are better for the environment. Once you get where you are going, try to use environmentally friendly methods of getting around, such as walking or public transportation.
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