We can’t ignore the stark reality of the state of our environment—it’s plastered on social media feeds, decried on news stations, and discussed among ourselves whenever we see litter in a national park. We’re well aware of the problems, but solutions are harder to come by.
While we can’t all reach out and repair the great barrier reef or pick up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, we can make a difference within our own spheres of influence. Here are a few everyday tips for reducing your carbon footprint.
Switch Up Your Diet
Those on the outside often look at a vegan diet as a lifestyle choice only for those who are overly fond of animals. But veganism does more for the environment than spare the lives of animals.
Meat processing plants are huge sources of carbon as manure decomposes.
Additionally, raising the feed for the livestock requires cutting down large swatches of forest to create monoculture crop fields. Veganism eliminates these factors while offering a truly sustainable solution.
Do a Green Remodel of Your Home
Our homes use thousands of kilowatts of energy every year, greatly contributing to our carbon emissions. We can all take small steps to help, like shutting off lights when we leave a room or closing the fridge. Still, many of our homes are simply energy inefficient, and the best way to remedy that is to do an eco-friendly remodel.
A few things you can focus on include:
- Improving insulation
- Choosing energy-efficient appliances
- Sealing your windows and doors
- Replacing carpet with bamboo or other eco-friendly flooring options
- Installing dimmer switches
Of course, we don’t all have the capital to remodel our homes entirely. It may help to focus on individual rooms. The kitchen, for instance, is a popular first choice since it uses so much energy.
Change Your Commute
The convenience of travel has allowed us to work further and further from home. Unfortunately, this puts thousands of more cars on the road, along with the carbon emissions they produce. If you don’t live within walking distance from work, try changing up your commute to reduce your carbon emissions:
- Ride a bicycle or electric bike
- Take public transportation
- Start a carpool
- Drive more slowly
- Buy an electric or fuel-efficient car
Another solution is to cut back on commuting altogether. Now more than ever, companies have discovered ways to make jobs remote. Working remotely even part of the week reduces carbon emissions significantly.
