9 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Fighting climate change can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that taking action starts with us — one green-conscious step at a time. As the fight for climate control becomes a buzzword in the media, our team at Laflore Paris thought it would be resourceful to put together a few tips for simple eco-friendly lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your carbon footprint in the new year.
In 2019 the world’s leading climate scientists warned we only have about 12 years to save the planet by limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5C, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This means it’s no longer realistically attainable to push the burden of climate control onto future generations. By taking small steps to act now, we can start to limit the detrimental effects of the climate crisis on:
We at Laflore Paris prioritize eco-conscious ideals in the design and manufacturing of our vegan purses. Check out our eco-friendly promise to learn more about our standards for sustainability, elegance and versatility.
Nearly every action we take each day has a reaction. A carbon footprint is essentially the reactions that contribute to climate breakdown. It is the calculation of the total amount of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that has been generated by a particular person or population.
Globally the average carbon footprint for a person is about 4 tons. Unfortunately, the United States has one of the highest rates in the world — with approximately 16 tons being the average carbon footprint per person. To put this into better perspective, we would need to drop to under 2 tons per person by 2050 to have the best chance of avoiding a 2℃ global temperature rise.
Climate change is one of the biggest environmental threats to the future of our planet we have seen in our lifetime. Fighting the environmental crisis starts with knowing your carbon footprint. You can use software tools available online to find out your carbon footprint calculation, which have been created to help raise awareness of carbon emission and management.
If you’re not sure where to start, but want to work towards reducing your environmental impact, we’re here to help. Here are nine simple and actionable steps you can start taking today to reduce your carbon footprint in 2022:
Shopping locally not only supports the small businesses in your neighborhood but also the environment. Locally owned businesses help contribute to a reduction of transportation emissions (and harmful pesticides). Local shops are generally located in areas with high foot-traffic, creating less pollution and habitat loss. Plus small local businesses collectively are typically the largest employer in markets like the United States.
Shop local and organically because you can:
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint – You can literally reduce your carbon footprint on the environment by walking to local businesses and grocery shops, if they’re within close proximity to your home. Take advantage of the convenience of neighborhood businesses within walking distance while maintaining a greener lifestyle.
Sustainable Packaging Options – Make a conscious effort about your environmental impact by opting for paper or reusable shopping bags to limit single-use plastic. Buying from retailers online or in person typically means your purchases are stored or delivered in a branded bag, box or envelope of the company’s choosing.
Community Support – With coronavirus strains like Delta and Omicron still affecting the world, small local businesses have especially been hit hard. These shops and businesses help contribute to the character and authenticities of our communities. By shopping locally, you are choosing a sustainable option that continues to do good for the world.
Solar power isn’t as unattainable as it used to be when it first made waves in home technology. And the benefits of residential solar power far surpass homes with traditional power due to its energy efficiency. Every kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar energy helps to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that pollute the environment — such as CO2, sulfur and nitrogen oxides and more. Another perk to going solar helps the fight against the global water crisis by limiting water consumption and withdrawal.
Here are a few more ways to implement the use of solar power in your lifestyle for better energy efficiency:
Opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle – If you’re considering purchasing or leasing a new car, consider one that does good for the environment. Some electric vehicles (EVs) even come with solar panels. Make sure to look into any greenhouse gas emissions during car production and operation, however. Some EVs are responsible for more emissions than other vehicles during manufacturing but make up for it after a few years.
Switch energy providers – Many companies offer tax incentives for choosing greener options like solar, wind or hydroelectric energy.
Donate to carbon offsets – This is a great way to provide financial support to projects working toward climate protection and reducing carbon emissions. You can find out your carbon offset calculation online.
Did you know that global aviation accounts for 2.5 percent of CO2 emissions? By taking one fewer flight each year, you can make a concerted effort to reduce your carbon footprint.
Air travel is typically one of the sources responsible for the carbon footprint of most individuals, and it’s not always a necessary option. The next time you need to travel, remember these tips from our team at Laflore Paris:
If the location you're traveling to for work or pleasure is within driving distance, go for a road trip, especially if taking a few friends or colleagues along. Cars emit fewer, but different greenhouse gasses than airplanes, so driving solo doesn’t cut your impact significantly. Opting for a train ride or traveling on a diesel bus, will reduce overall emissions even further.
CHOOSE ECONOMY CLASS
When you choose to purchase economy class flights, you share the carbon emissions among more passengers. If you fly business class, you’re contributing to about three times the carbon footprint of economy and up to nine times with first class.
FLY NONSTOP ROUTES
Landings and takeoffs use a lot of fuel, producing more emissions. If you fly nonstop, you’ll not only get to your destination quicker but also help reduce the environmental footprint of your flight.
Your Drive Time
Carbon emissions from transportation are one of the top sources contributing to greenhouse gasses polluting the environment. Choosing a car-free lifestyle for one year alone could save about 2.4 tons of carbon dioxide. You can also think about it this way: More cars on the road equals more traffic, more roads and more parking lots.
Here are some ways to limit the effects of carbon emissions caused by vehicles:
Use public transportation – Make a commitment to taking the bus, train or trolley to work a couple days each week. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing! As long as you start making small greener choices, you’ll find yourself feeling better about making more and more eco-friendly decisions in the future.
Choose walking or biking – Walk or bike with your friends or kids instead of driving everywhere, especially if the weather is perfect. It’s great for reducing your environmental footprint and increasing your physical and mental health.
Take care of your car – You can increase fuel efficiency by three percent simply by keeping your tires properly inflated. You can increase it up to 4 percent by also keeping it properly maintained. Try to also avoid driving aggressively and any unnecessary braking, as this will use a substantially greater amount of fuel consumption than a smooth drive.
You can stick to an eco-friendly routine by making considered choices for how you spend time off. Schedule reminders and block out time on your calendar to help you remember to take actions that reduce your carbon footprint. We suggest reserving time to:
Get Informed – Spend time reading or listening to podcasts about global warming and other top environmental concerns.
Conduct Energy Checks – Every few hours do an energy check by walking in and out of each room in your home to turn off anything that doesn’t need to be on.
Do Yard Work – Spend some time outdoors planting your garden or maintaining your landscaping, while grabbing some fresh air and soaking in vitamin D.
Schedule Carbon-Free Activities – This can be as simple as reading by candlelight instead of watching TV a few times a week or taking a walking tour with loved ones when you are on vacation.
About one in two people throw their clothes into the trash instead of donating them, which equates to up to 64 percent of clothing produced each year filling up our landfills. As clothing decomposes in landfills they produce a harmful greenhouse gas called methane that pollutes our environment.
There are a few techniques to avoiding the harmful effects of “fast fashion.” Here are some of our tips:
Buy fewer, higher-quality items – Consider implementing a capsule wardrobe — a set number of limited and chic clothing made from sustainable materials. You can mix and match these items to create a variety of outfits that never go out of style.
Support eco-conscious companies – Look for Fairtrade clothing companies that use sustainable materials. The global organization is co-owned by over 1.8 million farmers and workers and the most recognized and trusted source in sustainability in the world.
Look for versatile fashion – We created our convertible backpack purse with versatility in mind, ensuring it can go from tote to crossbody to backpack to function for all occasions. Other versatile fashion staples include black vegan boots and a good cardigan you can rely on rain or shine.
Repurpose old clothes – Before throwing it in the donation bin, consider using some of your old clothes as cleaning rags or sewing projects. If you have an old chair that’s been torn up, one of your old shirts might make a lovely seating fabric. Another idea is to donate them to animal shelters for bedding.
A number of items around your home constantly draw power without you even noticing. For example, a lot of TVs don’t turn off without you manually doing so, and microwaves often cannot be switched completely off without removing the plug from the outlet. This is what’s known as standby power — or products that draw power 24 hours a day.
The amount of standby power used in residences on average amounts to about 10 percent of total usage. Reduce your energy usage (and your bill!) by 10 percent by remembering to turn off and unplug your devices or appliances when you’re not using them.
If you live in the United States, consider purchasing Energy Star appliances. It’s backed by the government for energy efficiency and shares credible information for consumers and businesses to make well-informed decisions. Energy Star offers a number of energy-efficient products for your home — including:
Light bulbs - Uses 70-90 percent less energy than an incandescent light bulb, while providing the same illumination.
Windows - Made with materials that reduce heat exchange and air leaks, requiring less energy to heat or cool a space.
Insulation - You won’t use as much energy to keep your house cool in the summer or warm in the winter with good insulation.
Smart thermostats - Wi-Fi controlled heating and cooling that automatically adjust to energy-saving temperatures when you are away or asleep.
Computer power management - Computers set up to automatically enter a low-power “sleep” mode if not in use.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions, greenhouse gasses that pollute the environment and the use of raw materials in manufacturing. It also contributes to saving more energy, resources, money and waste that fill up the world’s landfills.
These are products you can recycle:
Plastic, glass, paper, metal & cardboard boxes – It’s even better if these items have been rinsed and dried. No need to use a sponge and soap!
Clothes – If you’re not quite sure what to do with old clothes, there are tons of options available, from donating to charity to selling items for a profit online.
Water Bottles – Switch to an at-home water filtration pitcher. You will reduce your recycling output and help end the global water crisis.
These are products non-recyclable products:
XPS & EPS Foam (Styrofoam) – From egg cartons to takeout boxes, there is a common misconception that extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam or “Styrofoam” — a trademarked product by The Dow Chemical Company — is recyclable. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the other type of foam that we often see in everyday products like plates and cups. This is also not recommended for the residential recycling bin.
Pizza Boxes – If the box is unused it can definitely go into the recycling bin, but not if it’s too saturated with grease and oil to be recycled.
Taking actions to address the concern of our planet’s health is crucial to fostering a better future for humanity. We hope our eco-conscious tips encourage you to make a few new eco-friendly living changes to reduce your carbon footprint in the new year.