Practical Tips on Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Sustainability is not just a trend. Over the years, this concern has become an urgent necessity in order to preserve the planet’s natural resources and guarantee our quality of life.
The importance of reducing carbon emissions
The famous carbon dioxide (CO2) has many applications in society when it is in its gaseous form – such as in the manufacture of drinks, in fire controls and even in surgical interventions. On the other hand, it is harmful to humans if inhaled in large quantities, irritating the respiratory tract and, in more serious cases, causing death by asphyxiation.
As we know, the excess carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere every day plays a major role in overheating the planet, which leads to an imbalance in ecosystems and large-scale environmental impacts. That’s why combating it has become an urgent necessity, especially given the number of polluting sources that are part of our daily lives. The automobile and transport sector, for example, is one of the main emitters of CO2 into the environment – in addition to deforestation and forest fires, which cause climate change all over the planet.
Therefore, the best way to reduce the emission of polluting gasses is to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and stop deforestation. Planting trees has even become a common measure in this fight. However, it is not a 100% effective alternative, since while plants neutralize CO2 in the process of photosynthesis, they are simply unable to absorb it at the same rate as we produce it.
Tips for reducing carbon emissions
Increasing development – industrial and technological – means that carbon dioxide levels are reaching new heights. In this sense, we need to think of ways to reduce emissions even in small, everyday situations. This can be done by changing our habits somewhat. For example, hitchhiking or cycling to work. Attitudes can shift. In New York, biking in Central Park and around it is already viewed as a much more sensible way of commuting than driving an old car that doesn’t meet modern CO2 emission performance standards.
- Carpool to work
Carpooling is a smart solution for reducing the environmental impact of too many vehicles in operation. There are corporate carpooling apps to help you get to and from work in an easy, practical, and safe way.
- Biking
Have you ever thought how wonderful it would be not to have to worry about fuel, insurance, parking? If you go by bike, you can leave all these problems behind. Of course, a safe and well-equipped bike also requires investment and maintenance, but that’s nothing like the cost of a car.
Not to mention the best part: you can get away from congestion, enjoy the scenery, and relax while you pedal. All while saving the environment from the toxic gasses. You may find the experience a little strange at first, but the benefits are so great that you’ll soon get used to it.
What’s more, cycling is a very powerful exercise for the body and mind. The endorphins released during twenty minutes of activity can relax your muscles and improve your mood.
- Public transportation
The world of cars and the transportation industry are responsible for a large part of the CO2 that pollutes the atmosphere. This is due to the process of burning fuel (gasoline, alcohol, diesel, etc.). Therefore, the fewer vehicles, the better it is for the planet.
So, even if public transportation in your city isn’t that great, give preference to it whenever possible. Using a bus or subway not only reduces emissions caused by the large number of cars on the road, but also relieves jams in the chaotic traffic of major urban centers.
- Keep your car serviced
The bike is an excellent choice, but we can all agree that it’s not always the best option – like on rainy days, for example. At these times or in an emergency situation, it’s inevitable to take the car out of the garage when you can’t use public transportation.
But you should know that even if you’re driving, you can adopt measures to mitigate the negative impacts on the environment. Keeping your car serviced improves its performance. This means less fuel will be used and, consequently, fewer pollution shall happen.
Refer to the owner’s manual of your car for the optimal service intervals. Otherwise, keep the number six in mind: as a general rule, it is recommended that the car is serviced every six months or every six thousand miles (depending on which comes first). Using vehicles powered by biofuels instead of fossil fuels (gasoline or diesel) is also a more sustainable measure.
- Invest in green tires
Consider swapping your car’s conventional tires for green ones. They are made with an extra compound that minimizes the emission of pollutants. After all, the material is silica, which is responsible for reducing the friction between the tires and the asphalt.
As a result, the tire gets cooler, generating less heat when it comes into contact with the ground. In practical terms, this means less fuel is used to generate movement and, as less fuel is burned, the emission of polluting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is reduced. Therefore, changing your car’s tires is also one of the ways to reduce CO2 emissions into the environment.
Conclusion
We know that carbon dioxide is one of the big villains in today’s status quo. Although it’s not so easy to learn how to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere to an acceptable level, it’s perfectly possible to develop awareness regarding this issue.
If you know what to do and approach the idea with dedication, you can help strengthen global sustainability and partake in keeping the world livable by simply readjusting some of your habits. The tips provided above will help with that. They are very basic, yet instrumental for those who want to start acting in an environmentally friendly way.