probably notCarbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by a person or organization. It’s usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) units. Other GHGs include nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
The world has been experiencing climate change since long before the industrial revolution. But today’s climate change is caused by human activities.
Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels like coal or oil, as well as through deforestation and cement production.
In fact, CO2e represents a problem with many causes and effects — including deforestation and land use change — that contribute to climate change in different ways. As the climate warms, changes in weather patterns and extreme events are expected to become more frequent. For example, heat waves could become more severe and frequent while droughts and heavy rainfall would also increase. Sea levels could rise by one to four feet by 2100 if carbon dioxide emissions continue on their current path.
What Can We Do To Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and slow down global warming. It’s not as difficult as you may think. All it takes is a little bit of effort and creativity. Here are some simple things you can do:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Walk, bike or use public transportation instead of driving whenever possible
- Buy local food products and support farmers in your community
- Buy energy-efficient appliances, like LED light bulbs and ENERGY STAR® certified televisions, computers and printers.
- Use less heating or cooling by using blankets instead of turning up the thermostat.
- Choose to buy products with recycled content, as well as those that have been manufactured with less energy use in mind.
These are just some examples of how you can be more energy efficient at home and slow down the global warming. When you are looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, it’s important not just to think about what you can do in a day or a week. The most sustainable actions are those that will last for years into the future.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Even if you don’t have much time, it’s important to make sure that you are doing something to help the environment. It may not seem like a lot, but even small changes can add up over time and have a big impact on the planet.
