If you’re wondering what a carbon footprint is and why it’s so important, we’ve got you covered. We’ll help you understand what a carbon footprint is, how to reduce your carbon footprint, and the impact it has on climate change.
Minimize your carbon footprint
You can minimize your carbon footprint and help the environment in many ways. Whether at home, work, school, or while you travel, small changes can add up. To reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll want to do things like reduce the amount of energy you use, eat fewer animal products, shop locally, travel smart, and reduce your waste.
What is a carbon footprint?
Let’s start by explaining what a carbon footprint is. It’s a phrase that’s often used when talking about the environment and climate change, but it’s one that’s not always understood. We’ve laid out the carbon footprint meaning and explain other references that go hand in hand when talking about it.
Carbon footprint. A measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere because of an individual’s, organization’s, or nation’s actions. It’s usually measured in tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
Greenhouse gasses (GHG). Any type of gas in the atmosphere that blocks heat from escaping. In relation to your carbon footprint and climate change, the main types of GHG are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane.
The greenhouse effect. The process through which GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun. Although this is a natural phenomenon that keeps the planet habitable, our GHG emissions are causing the Earth to warm up at an unnatural rate.
Climate change. A pattern of long-term change in the temperature and weather patterns either globally or regionally. Although these alterations occur naturally, man-made climate change is rapidly accelerating the pace of them.
Global warming. The rapid increase in average surface temperatures on Earth is caused by the accumulation of GHG in the atmosphere. It is just one element of climate change.
Fossil fuels. Natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas produce carbon dioxide and other GHG when burnt. Electricity is often generated from harmful fossil fuels. Now that we have explained references that are closely linked to the idea of a carbon footprint it begins to paint the bigger picture of why it is so important to reduce your carbon footprint. What’s more, individuals, organizations, and nations can all do their part to take responsibility for many of these factors and make positive changes now for a clean energy future.
5 tips on reducing your carbon footprint
- Switch to renewables
By choosing an option to sign up for 100% renewable electricity with a company such as Abest Green Power, you will reduce the amount of pollution from the electricity that is generated from harmful fossil fuels.
- Change your diet
The food we eat can have a significant impact on the environment. For example, meat and dairy products require a lot of land, water, and energy to produce and transport. Perhaps consider the “Meatless Monday” approach or home-grown vegetables.
- Go remote
It’s never been easier to collaborate with colleagues or customers online. Whether through sharing documents using cloud storage or video conferencing instead of traveling, you can reduce your waste and emissions.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle, and repeat
Whether it’s things like paper, electronic devices, packaging, or water, it all has a carbon footprint. By reducing the amount of waste, you generate, reusing electronic equipment, and recycling waste, you can make a real difference.
- Think green!
Follow practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles. This can help to protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.
Our goal at ABEST is to serve New York residents with renewable electricity to help reduce their carbon footprint. Our focus has been to educate and help individuals do their part too and help fight against climate change by offering eco-friendly products and services. Renewable energy helps to reduce emissions by creating a way to move away from fossil fuels, which contribute, to harmful greenhouse gases.