A. Rose Gulick

We all want to help stop the spread of global warming. Due to global warming, the Earth is quickly being destroyed. In the last fifty years alone, many species have gone extinct. So, what can we do to help? Here are seven ways homeowners can reduce their own carbon footprint.

1. Avoid Fast-Fashion

Homeowners can start by avoiding fast fashion. Fast fashion is articles of clothing that are quickly and cheaply produced. “Fast fashion garments, which on average are worn less than 5 times and kept for just 35 days, produce over 400% more carbon emissions per item than garments worn 50 times and kept for 1 year.” (Davies,n.d). In order to reduce purchases from these types of clothes, try thrift shopping. You will find something unique and something that is able to be reused, instead of something new being created. 

2. Calculate Your Carbon Foot Print

If you do not know your carbon footprint already, it is time to look into seeing what it is. “Your carbon footprint is the number of greenhouse gases—including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases, and others—that you produce as you live your life.” (Cho,2018). There are numerous websites that can help you calculate your carbon footprint and see how you can improve.

3. Reduce Food Waste

Plan your meals ahead of time, do not make them on a spur of the moment. Reuse your leftovers from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to create something new for your next meal.

4. Bring Your Own Reusable Bag

When you go shopping, it is important to bring your own reusable shopping bag. Plastic grocery store bags create more waste, and sometimes people toss them onto the ground, to litter. Instead of littering and helping create more waste, bring your own shopping bags. A lot of reusable bags can be used over one hundred times and still look brand new if they are cared for properly.

5. Do An Energy Audit Of Your Home

Sometimes we do not know how much energy our home is taking up. We could estimate that it is only a little bit, but sometimes, it is more than that. But it can be a real eye-opener to see the reality of energy that you use in your home on a day-to-day basis. “This will show how you use or waste energy and help identify ways to be more energy-efficient.” (Cho, 2018). You will learn things that you did not know before when you do this audit.

6. Use Less Acceleration When You Drive

When you press down harder on the gas pedal, more emissions come out of the vehicle. If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, try to reduce that as much as you can. ” Some studies found that aggressive driving can result in 40 percent more fuel consumption than consistent, calm driving.” (Cho, 2018)

7. Reduce Your Dairy And Meat Consumption

Eating meat and dairy does more harm to the environment than good. It is important to limit your meat and dairy consumption or even try to go vegetarian or vegan. The reason this is not good is due to the waste that is created. “Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of CO2 per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, which is significantly more than the combined exhaust fumes from all modes of transportation put together. And these emissions for animal agriculture are projected to increase 80% by 2050 unless more sustainable food production systems are widely adopted.” (Davies, n.d). By doing your part and limiting your consumption of these foods, you can help lower these statistics.

Overall, there are many ways to help the environment, and help reduce your own carbon footprint as a homeowner and as a person. Keep these tips in mind as you carry on in your daily life.

Sources

Cho, R. |D. (2018, December 27). The 35 easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. State of the Planet. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/12/27/35-ways-reduce-carbon-footprint/

Davies, M. (n.d.). 5 ways to reduce your carbon footprint significantly. 5 Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Significantly. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://mossy.earth/guides/lifestyle/5-ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint