In this article we look at five simple ways for how to reduce carbon emissions. Each of us can make changes in our lives that will reduce our carbon emissions and it all adds up. Here is how to reduce your carbon footprint starting in your home.
How to Reduce Carbon Emissions from Your Car
There are several ways in which you can reduce emissions due to driving, the easiest of which is simple: don’t drive so much. This can be achieved in many ways such as working from home at least some of the time, joining a car sharing scheme, online grocery shopping and sharing a car for the school run.
New cars are much more efficient than older cars so it may well be worth upgrading that banger. Driving in an eco-friendly way can save up to 20% in fuel costs so an eco-driving course may be worthwhile. Similarly, keeping your car’s tires inflated and fitting low-resistance tires will also save fuel and reduce emissions.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions from Air Travel
Flying is a major source of carbon emissions due to the long distances that flights cover and the high fuel consumption of jet engines. Around half of the UK’s population don’t fly in an average year but the fifty per cent that do will take, on average, two return trips per year. Taking the average figures, refusing to fly will straight away reduce your carbon emissions by ten per cent.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions from Food
The main contribution of food to global carbon emissions is not due to ‘food miles’ or excess packaging. It is caused by livestock farming so the best way to reduce food-related emissions is to cut down on the dairy and meat products. According to Vox, going vegetarian can cut your carbon footprint in half! Going vegan is even better for reducing carbon emissions.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions from Gas
Domestic gas consumption is a big factor in the carbon footprint of most people. Most of the average household’s gas goes on heating so insulation is key, as is only heating those rooms that are in use. If your boiler is older than ten years then it is probably worth replacing. Cavity insulation and double glazing will save you money and help the planet as will loft insulation and reducing the temperature on the thermostat by one single degree.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions from Electricity
On average, electricity use in the home produces around one tonne of carbon dioxide per individual per year. The biggest users of electricity in the home are tumble dryers, plasma TVs (now largely replaced by LED and LCD TVs) and fridges. If your fridge is older than four to six years then it may well be worth investing in a new A++ model. Having solar panels fitted and replacing your halogen lights with fluorescent or LED lights is also a good move. Avoiding the temptation of the tumble dryer and selecting a lower temperature on the washing machine will help reduce your emissions considerably.
So these are (arguably and on average) the top five factors to consider when trying to reduce carbon emissions at home. Other things you might want to look at are reducing how many consumer electronic items you buy, buying less new clothes and buying clothes made from man-made fibers, using less water, using public transport and reducing your paper consumption.
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