You may think that the actions you take to reduce your carbon footprint won’t make much difference but consider for a moment all the millions of other people also taking steps to cut their carbon footprint. By working together, we can all do something to make a difference. Each and every one of us has a part to play in cutting our collective carbon footprint and the work begins at home.
Firstly, let’s explain what is meant by the term ‘carbon footprint’. Your carbon footprint is made up of all the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) you generate as you go about your daily life. Boiling a kettle, shopping online, cooking your dinner, or taking a shower all add to your carbon footprint.
Though the global pandemic has put life as we know it on hold it hasn’t stopped the climate crisis looming closer. From increased extreme weather events to rising sea levels, extended wildfire seasons, and prolonged droughts, our climate is changing right before our eyes. The question is, will we be able to change quickly enough to fix it.
An astonishing 28% of every person’s carbon emissions come from the energy they use at home so if you want to make a substantial impact a good place to start is at home.
The good news is that each and every one of us can reduce our emissions by making some simple and practical changes with individual actions that start at home. Here are some examples of what you can do:
· Cut your energy use: Turn your thermostat down by just one degree and you will not only be helping to cut your carbon footprint, but you could save yourself £60 per year. Even when you’re at home all day you don’t need to keep the temperature at a constant 70 degrees. One option is to invest in an automatic thermostat or smart thermostat. Adjusting your temperature to run 2 degrees cooler in the winter can result in big energy savings. You can always put an extra layer of clothing on to keep warm!
· Air dry your clothes: Whenever possible air dry your clothes as the biggest kitchen carbon culprit is your tumble dryer. Air drying can cut around 90kg of carbon. Your clothes will last longer too.
· Unplug and switch off appliances: Unplug appliances like TVs and laptops as although they appear to be turned off it doesn’t mean that they aren’t drawing power. This habit could be costing you around £35 per year.
· Use Renewable Energy Sources: Everyone is aware that extracting fossil fuels is destroying our planet which is why switching to renewable energy sources is the best way to reduce your carbon emissions. There are various options available to you such as signing up for solar panels, finding a green energy supplier or switching your boiler for a green alternative, a heat pump. You can ask your utility company how much of your electricity comes from renewable sources. Many utility companies now offer “green pricing” tariffs that will allow you to pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources.
· Switch your lightbulbs to LEDs: Low-energy light bulbs use 90% less energy than regular ones and they last 10 times longer. If you are working from home full-time due to the pandemic you might want to think about your workspace. If you need the light on all day where you work, it would be worth finding an alternative place to work where you get better natural light. Turning a few lights off helps reduce your electricity usage and to extend the life of your lightbulbs.
· Watch your water usage: There are many ways to reduce your water waste. Fill your kettle with only as much water as you need. Make sure that your dishwasher and washing machine are full before you click the ‘eco-mode’ button. Take shorter showers and use an eco-friendly shower head. Remember to turn the tap off when you are brushing your teeth. Put a rain barrel in your garden to help capture and purify water.
· Check whether you could benefit from the Green Homes Grant scheme: The government is currently offering up to £5,000 in vouchers to make energy-saving improvements such as insulating your loft, double glazing your windows, or installing heat pumps. You could save £600 a year in bills as well as helping to save the planet.
· Look into battery energy storage: If you have solar panels, installing battery energy storage could really boost your home’s energy efficiency.
· Refuse single use plastic: Buy and refill a reusable cup, bottle, flask, and lunchbox to help stop plastic pollution. When shopping online choose unpackaged items and let brands know that their packaging is unwanted.
· Always re-use plastic pots and bags: Visit your local repair café to get everything fixed cheaply instead of buying new.
· Recycle almost everything you can’t re-use: Even if it’s something that you no longer want there maybe someone out there who could use it. If not take unwanted items to the nearest recycling plant.
· Eat less red meat: Methane emissions from cows and fertiliser use along with deforestation to make way for livestock, generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all the world’s cars, trucks, and aeroplanes.
· Don’t waste food: UK homes throw away 4.5m tonnes of food every year. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report that food waste is responsible for around 8 percent of human-made greenhouse gas emissions. To help reduce this waste make a food plan, and only buy and cook what you need. Try pickling, preserving, freezing, or composting what you don’t eat. Buy locally sourced seasonal food or grow your own food to help reduce emissions from transportation, preservation, and refrigeration.
· Be a fashion warrior: An unbelievable 350,000 tonnes of clothing goes into landfill every year. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions per year. Instead of buying new clothes, swap them with your friends, recycle or repair. Buy second-hand or vintage clothing - it’s amazing what you can find!
· Shop more sustainably: If you’re going to buy new, try and buy sustainable goods from companies that are passionate about planting trees and using sustainable materials.
· Divest from Fossil fuels: Make sure that your pension fund, or bank don’t invest in fossil fuel companies. You can choose to opt out of funds investing in fossil fuel or move your money to a more sustainable fund or ethical bank.
These are just a few of the ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and help stop global warming.
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