Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide you put into the atmosphere. Did you know the average U.S. citizen emits 16 tons, which is one of the highest in the world? You see your carbon estimate, go to the EPA's Carbon Footprint Calculator.
To get below 1.5 degrees Celsius, that number needs to be below 2 tons by 2050(1)! Here are some things you can do to lower your footprint.
Use Less Plastics
Did you know that each plastic ever made has never fully decomposed? That means that the 8.3 billion tons are still on our planet(2)! To combat your contribution, use reusable items like water bottles, tote bags, and glass tuber ware. When you do use plastic, reuse them as much as possible. For example, you could transform a milk jug into a bird feeder or a bucket! When you do recycle, recycle correctly. Such as plastic bags. You can't throw them in the recycling bin because "they get wrapped on the equipment at the recycling facility, and workers have to stop the machines to climb on them to cut out the bags. And then they get landfilled." -How to Recycle. If something is made of plastic, read the instructions on the packaging or lookup on https://how2recycle.info/.
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For information on this topic and its importance, check out these sources:
Use Less Fossil Fuel Powered Heating and Lighting
The largest output of CO2 in the world is electricity and heating at 25%(3)! You can help by using electricity and heating less such as turning them off when you leave the house.
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For information on this topic and its importance, check out these sources:
Do Not Waste Food
Did you know that in the US only, between 30-40% of food is wasted(4)? To help out, plan out meals and estimate the correct amount of food needed; take only what you need when eating (there are always seconds!)
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For information on this topic and it's importance, check out
Eat Less Red Meat and More Vegetables
24% of emissions come from agriculture, forestry, and other land use (3), particularly the meat industry. To combat this, try eating red meat twice or once a week. Not only does a plant-based diet help the earth, but it's also better for you!
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For information on this topic and its importance, check out these sources:
Switch to Green Power
A great investment to think about is transitioning your power supply to green such as solar panels and electric vehicles. Although right now these things come at a large short-term cost, in the long term these changes out-way that.
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Buy Eco-Friendly Products
Many companies use harmful chemicals in their products that directly hurt you and the planet. When purchasing items, look for "biodegradable," "organic," "cruelty-free," "eco-friendly," etc. For instance, instead of purchasing Pantene check out Love, Beauty, and Planet bathroom products.
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Purchase Second Hand
Fast fashion is one of the biggest pollutants on the planet and has serious human rights violations (5). To help limit your impact, you can purchase at second-hand stores such as Goodwill. When purchasing new clothes, choose ones that you truly enjoy instead of what suddenly piques your interest! A helpful reminder when shopping is the phrase "quality over quantity."
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For information on this topic and its importance, check out the documentary The True Cost and these sources below:
Travel Less from Fossil Fuel Powered Transportation
14% of emissions come from transportation(3). To lower your count, have one car trip when running errands a week, take public transport, and walk/bike to places that are close by.
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Get Rid of Waste Properly
Many items such as plastic, batteries, chemicals, electronics, cardboard, and food can be thrown in a way that it doesn't end up in the landfill. Before disposing in the garbage, look up what is the proper way to do it. For example, some stores like Trigs and Target offer plastic bag drop-offs. Fresh vegetables and fruits can be composted. Check out the links below for your states waste disposal program:
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For more specific information, narrow your search by your city or county.