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You’ve probably heard the term "carbon footprint" a lot in relation to climate change. It's a way of measuring greenhouse gas emissions; these are gases such as methane and carbon dioxide that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
Usually measured in tonnes per year, a carbon footprint is measured by the sum of the greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere because of our actions. Individuals, families, businesses, products, one-off events and even countries each have their own carbon footprint.
Some of the lifestyle factors that influence your carbon footprint include transport use, dietary choices, electricity use, shopping habits and waste disposal. The higher your carbon footprint, the worse your contribution is towards global warming and climate change.
We can all take action: making small changes to our daily lives can influence the bigger picture.
So, what are the top five changes everyone can make to reduce their carbon footprint?
- Growing fruit and vegetables
Think carefully about your purchases in the supermarket and whether you truly need what's in your trolley. Reduce the amount of pre-packed food you buy by growing your own fruit and veg. This means you will eat what you produce, significantly reducing waste food and packaging.
Even if you only have a small garden, you could rent an allotment, or even grow your own in window boxes. Once picked, any excess can be stored in Gastronorm containers to keep it fresher for longer.
If you haven't grown your own produce before, read up on how to harvest fruit and veg before you start.
- Taking good care of clothes
According to the United Nations, the clothing industry is responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing how many clothes you buy, this could help to reduce your impact on the environment.
Look after them properly so they don’t need replacing as often. Buy second-hand garments, clothes manufactured from recycled materials, or those with an eco-label. Treat them kindly!
Store out of season items in airtight boxes to keep them in good condition.
- Limiting waste and recycling more
Always recycle at home and in the workplace. Reuse and recycle items in order to reduce the 2.12 billion tonnes of waste we produce globally per year.
Install recycling bins at work, at home and in your home office and make sure you participate in all your local authority's recycling schemes.
- Avoiding single-use plastics
Avoid single-use plastics where you can by taking some simple steps.
Carry a reusable bottle for water and soft drinks, rather than buying disposable options. Don't use plastic straws and take a reusable coffee cup for a top-up. Avoid excessive food packaging and say no to disposable plastic cutlery.
When you order a drink in a pub or restaurant, if you don’t need a straw, say so. Responsible businesses offer paper straws to those customers who need one.
Single use plastics continue to be a hazard for the environment, generating around 2.2 million tonnes of packaging waste in the UK every year.
When choosing plastic products, ensure you use options that are built to last a lifetime, such as the storage solutions provided by Solent Plastics.
- Modes of transport
Try other modes of transport instead of using a car all the time. Cycling to work can reduce your carbon footprint, for example.
An average car produces around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. It burns fossil fuels such as petrol, emitting carbon dioxide from the exhaust pipe. Studies have claimed road transport is responsible for at least 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
As well as improving your carbon footprint, cycling is also better for your general health. Choose public transport, rather than a solo car trip, or participate in ridesharing. If you live near your workplace, you could even walk to and from work. When it's not possible to drive less, switch to an all-electric or hybrid car.
While there are many ways to improve your carbon footprint, start with these important basics to set the ball rolling. Once you start living the eco-friendly way, it will soon become second nature.