Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint

We may not realize but all of us are contributing to the increasing CO₂ emissions. Appliances like microwave oven, electric kettle, gas oven, washing machine, dish washer, fridge-freezer, and light bulbs emit CO₂ gas on large-scale. To reduce this we need to follow practices that will reduce these carbon dioxide emissions. Let's look at them one by one.

Carbon footprints generated by us can be categorized into two parts, 'primary footprint' and 'secondary footprint'.

Primary footprints can be defined as "emissions of CO₂ directly generated from burning of fossil fuels, which includes emission of CO₂ from domestic consumption as well as transportation". These carbon footprints can be directly controlled and monitored by us.

• Fuel Used at Home: 33%
• Electricity Used at Home: 26%
• Pvt. Transport: 22%
• Pub. Transport: 7%
• Holiday Flights:13%

The data above depicts our contribution to CO₂ emissions from common sources like, coal, oil, gas, electricity, transportation and leisure travel.

Secondary footprints are indirect emissions of CO₂ from the lifestyle products we use. This means that everything we buy emits some amount of CO₂ in the environment.

• Pub. Services: 22%
• Financial Services: 6%
• Recreation: 26%
• Furnishings: 17%
• Car Manufacture: 13%
• Clothes: 7%
• Food & Drinks: 9%

The above data depicts CO₂ emissions from indirect sources like bottled water, meat, recreational activities like go-karting, and various services. Indirect emissions can be reduced by decreasing the demand of such goods, and instead using alternatives.

We have the power to reduce the Primary footprints, easily. Let's see what all can be done.

Also, we should not keep our devices like DVD player and music system on standby, because even that consumes a lot of power. Always switch off the appliances by pressing down the power button.

The use of the electrical appliances should at least be reduced, as one cannot completely curtail its use. While cleaning utensils and dishes in a dishwasher, or washing clothes in a washing machine, try loading them fully. This will reduce the electricity and water consumed in it.

While using a kettle, care should be taken to fill the kettle only with the amount of water actually required. Also, instead of using a dryer for drying clothes, use the option of drying them in sun. It is a good practice to reduce the temperature of the water heater and the central heater by 1 or 2 degrees.

Even such a minuscule reduction in the temperature can save about 8% of the electricity used by us.

So, what you can do is, replace the worn out appliances with the energy-saving devices. It not only reduces the carbon footprint but also saves up your bill.

1. Don't use your vehicle for short distances; instead choose to walk or go by cycling.
2. Use the public transport for daily purpose, instead of driving down daily.
3. Share your car with colleagues and others who are going the same way.

Their replacement will not only save power but will also reduce your running costs. If your apartment is old, check the state of the concealed wires. If the wires have worn out it will pull about 30% more power.

Lately, if you have been wondering about the whooping high electricity bills, realize it's time to check the concealed wires. This way you will end up reducing your carbon footprint and also save money.

It is easier to control and reduce the primary carbon footprint than secondary carbon footprint. However, reducing the secondary footprint is a matter of efforts you take, and realizing how are we contributing to the CO₂ emissions while purchasing goods.

"We are not to throw away those things which can benefit our neighbor. Goods are called good because they can be used for good: they are instruments for good, in the hands of those who use them properly." -- Clement of Alexandria

Recycling can reproduce goods with creating less pollution, consuming less energy and time. We can recycle paper, plastic, metal cans, cell phones, fridges, computers, AC, batteries, various containers and different packing material (almost everything). We only need to take an effort to do so.

A Few Facts

1. 315 kg of CO₂ is saved per ton of glass recycled after taking into account the transportation and processing.
2. Making Aluminum cans from old ones uses 1/12th of the energy to make them from raw materials.
3. Each recycled beer can, can save enough electricity to run a television for three hours.

Organic farming sustains the fertility of the soil, maintains the ecological system; it basically envisages a good quality of life. We might be able to survive without industrialization but we cannot survive without agriculture. It is a source of our survival.

As per thePacific Institute in 2006, 31.2 billion liters of water was bought by the American Consumers and it required more than 17 million barrels of oil (without the energy consumed in transportation) to produce them. In turn, it produced 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. 

Therefore, to reduce the CO₂ emission, we need to reduce the usage of bottled water. Instead you could consume filtered water which is equally purified.

"1/4 liter oil + 1 liter water + 1 liter water + 1 liter water = 1 liter Bottled drinking water." You think it's really worth it?

Saving our environment is not the duty of an individual or an organization, but a responsibility of each of us living on our planet earth. To reduce carbon footprints, you not only have to save energy from home or work but everywhere you go. Going green is not just a habit, but a lifestyle. We can calculate our carbon footprint and take measure to reduce it.

Like John Sawhill said, "A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy."