Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Inevitably, in going about our daily lives — commuting, sheltering our families, eating — each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each of us, as individuals, can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.

Make a commitment.
Reducing your carbon footprint is an easy worthwhile task and something that will benefit everyone in the long run.

Know your stuff.
It is likely that carbon will eventually be judged as an atmosphere pollutant and regulated accordingly with consequent costs and opportunities for all sectors of the society.  Knowing where and how you generate greenhouses gases is the first step to reducing them.

De-carbon your life.
Integrating climate friendly criteria into decision making can trigger a ripple effect.  For example, if you are making a short journey why not take the bus instead of the car?  Once you start using public transport, you may then be encouraged to do it more often.

Get energy efficient.
Improving the efficiency of your buildings, computers, cars and products is the fastest and most lucrative way to save money, energy and carbon emissions.  Appliances are labelled with details of their energy efficiency and new appliances are getting better all the time.  Products are rated on a scale from ‘AAA’ (most efficient) to ‘G (least efficient).  Try to buy appliances which are rated A or B.  By doing you will save money in addition to helping the planet.  A ‘AAA’ energy efficient electric cooker can save you up to$75 a year in comparison to a typical model.

Switch to low carbon energy.
If possible, switch to energy sources that emit less carbon and can reduce costs and emissions.  Generally, coal produces twice the emissions of gas, six times the amount of solar, forty times the amount of wind and 200 times the amount of hydro.

Invest in offsets and cleaner alternatives.
There is a limit to how much efficiency you can squeeze from your lifestyle, or how much renewable energy you can employ.

Get efficient.
Looking at your life through a carbon neutral lens can help you in other ways by increasing the efficiency of resource use, avoiding and reducing waste and ultimately improving your overall performance and reputation.

Buy low carbon products and services.
The market for climate friendly products and services is growing rapidly, from energy efficient products to new renewable energy systems.

Buy green, sell green.
In many countries, consumer surveys report that growing numbers of consumers are willing to buy green if given the choice

Talk.The increased importance of climate change means that companies and organisations will need to communicate.
Jim Cooke leaves small carbon footprint

carbon footprint suicide