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How to Increase My Carbon Footprint

August 31 2022

Figure out how to increase my carbon footprint.

Human activities are the major culprits of increasing carbon footprint in the environment. Activities such as heating your home, eating, traveling, and washing all contribute to the number of carbon emissions.

To combat this major problem facing the globe, it is important that we begin to switch to more climate-friendly options.

Such as using energy saver bulbs, using recycled items, and walking or biking where possible instead of driving.

Buying a pair of sneakers, driving your car, or grilling a steak all contribute to the emission of carbon dioxide and other types of greenhouse gases into the ecosystem.

The increased carbon emission across the globe is responsible for climate change which has now become a major concern for countries around the world.

In a bid to curtail the effects of carbon emissions. Most countries, companies, and institutions are already looking at possible solutions to minimize their carbon footprint.

By setting targets to be climate neutral in the nearest future.

What is A Carbon Footprint?

Carbon footprint is a term that is used to weigh or measure the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from individuals and industries on climate change.

These gases are emitted through the consumption and production of goods and services daily.

The amount of carbon that is emitted in producing different products such as your sneakers, and t-shirts depends on production and consumption options.

Taking transportation as an example, the amount of carbon emitted per kilometer by an airplane is around 285g compared to 14g for a train and 104g for a car.

This analogy is also applicable to what you eat; the type of fish or meat you eat or the type of clothing you buy. All these have a direct or indirect effect on carbon footprint.

How to increase my carbon footprint.

Why You Should Take Carbon Footprint as Being Important

The world population stands at around seven billion and each of these people consumes varying amounts of resources on the planet.

Growing population means increasing emissions and the projection that the world population could reach more than 9.7 billion by 2050 and more than 11 billion by 2100.

It means this is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly.

Increased greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for global warming which in turn results in climate change which has devastating impacts on the ecosystem.

increase carbon footprint

Hence, the ball is in everyone’s court to make choices that are climate-friendly and wouldn’t pose further danger to what we have at the moment in terms of an unhealthy ecosystem.

How to Minimize carbon Footprint

Having a good understanding of your carbon footprint can go a long way in limiting the impact of your consumption on the environment.

There are materials online that can help you in measuring or having an idea of what your carbon footprint is.

Small changes such as changing your light bulb to energy saver bulbs can make a big difference. Other vital tips that can help you keep your carbon footprint in check are as follows;

Food

  • Reduce your meat consumption, especially beef.
  • Increase consumption of seasonal and local products.
  • Make use of reusable shopping bags and avoid products that have too much plastic packaging.
  • Choose fish from sustainable fishing.
  • Buy only what you need to cut waste.

Clothing

  • Buy second-hand items or try renting, borrowing, or swapping.
  • Take proper care of your clothes.
  • Buy clothes that are climate-friendly such as those that have an eco-label or those that are made from recycled material.

Transportation

  • Try traveling by train.
  • Make use of public transport.
  • You can decide to bike or walk when possible.

Waste and energy

  • Take short showers.
  • Avoid storing unnecessary data in the cloud.
  • Always unplug electronic gadgets that you are not using and do not leave your phone charging when it is fully charged.
  • Do not leave the tap running while you are washing the dishes or brushing your teeth.
  • Learn how to recycle your waste.
  • Make use of energy-efficient products.
  • Turn down heating by one it can make a big difference.