Four simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint
It’s kind of hard to argue that there is something going on with the climate when major hurricanes are devastating the Northeast of America (when they used to be pretty much confined to the southern Atlantic and tropical regions), tornados are popping up in coastal regions and the temperatures (both hot and cold) are getting more extreme every day.
The common consensus is that we probably won’t be able to stop global warming with this generation alone, but if we take positive steps now we can slow it down a lot and maybe, within a few generations start reversing its effect.
People across the world are working hard to come up with ways to reduce the world’s carbon emissions and find more environmentally friendly ways of providing energy.
Across the US, local governments are getting in on the act. All over the country entire states are deregulating their energy industries and allowing competing utility providers to come in to the area and offer power to customers.
Not only are there different companies, there are companies that offer different types of energy as well (traditional, renewable, natural gas, combo plans, etc). For example, if you live in Texas you can visit www.
This means that even if you know people who staunchly believe global warming and climate change are myths they can take part in the renewable energy revolution!
The number of people who don’t believe in global warming, climate change or environmental friendliness is shrinking, though, and soon things like recycling and using solar power will be the norm, while driving gas guzzling cars and tossing leftover organic materials into landfill instead of composting them will be strange.
In the meantime, if you want to reduce your own carbon emissions, here are some things you can do.
1. Compost all non-animal based organic materials. Compost bins are easy to make and studies have proven that using home made compost on your garden is better than fertilising it with shop-bought products.
2. Switch to renewable power. If you don’t have a choice with your power provider, take steps to reduce your energy consumption as much as possible within your home and workplace.
3. Walk or bike as much as possible. This serves a few purposes: it reduces your carbon emissions, helps increase your physical fitness by providing a workout without your having to go to the gym, and that reduces your footprint even further because you won’t need to drive to the gym to work out!
4. Recycle everything. This goes beyond simple paper and aluminium cans. You probably already know that batteries can be recycled. Old furniture can be donated or taken apart and used to build new furniture. Electronic devices can be recycled (even those really old desktop computers) too.
What about you? What tiny tips would you give to someone wanting to reduce their carbon footprint?
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