Sustainable development

How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

The risks linked to the increase in CO2 are among the first dangers threatening our planet today. The carbon footprint, which is measured by the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted per year, increases from one year to the next.

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The risks linked to the increase in CO2 are among the first dangers threatening our planet today. The carbon footprint, which is measured by the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted per year, increases from one year to the next.

 

According to statistics, CO2 emissions have increased by 60% from 1990 to 2016 worldwide. Although industry is the main actor and alone accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions due to deforestation and fossil fuels, there are also significant emissions related to individual daily activities such as public transportation, food and many other services. Responsibilities are therefore shared between industry and individuals, but even small actions count. Reducing one’s carbon footprint is first a decision to be made and then a daily approach to take; it is a step towards a clean and sustainable planet.

How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

Despite the frightening numbers and the desperation they can engender, many solutions are being put in place to achieve this goal. So what is the approach to follow to reduce its carbon impact?

Calculate your carbon footprint

The first step to take if you want to embark on this adventure is to measure your carbon footprint. It is important to have concrete data to already know what this increase is linked to because the cause can vary from one person to another depending on our daily habits. Knowing the cause will help us find the best way to act to obtain an effective result. But we can ask ourselves the question “how can I calculate my carbon footprint? “In reality, it’s very easy! Just visit websites like MicMac and MyClimate or mobile applications like Climate Compass.

Once the balance sheet is done, it will be easier for you to go to a particular theme, here are the main ones:

Limit your car trips to the essentials

Vehicles emit a good amount of CO2 and pollute the air. In addition, they consume non-renewable energy, which makes them a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which is why you should limit your car trips to the essentials. The best alternatives are carpooling, public transportation and cycling for short trips.

Buy reconditioned

Although it may not seem obvious, high-tech products are a major polluter of the planet. With the tons of electronic products produced each year, their recycling becomes a problem and a real danger for the planet. By buying a refurbished computer or smartphone, you not only save money but you also contribute to the recycling of electronic products. Buying a reconditioned or recycled old phone is also an eco-friendly gesture.

Taking care of your diet

Taking care of your diet is good for the planet as well as for your health. Reducing or no longer eating meat is not at all as modest a gesture as it may seem because a vegetarian diet alone can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by 10%. Nevertheless, even a better choice of fruits and vegetables is subject to certain conditions. Often, when buying them, one does not pay attention to their country of origin, even though it plays a very important role. Of course, fruits and vegetables that are in season and of local origin are more environmentally friendly than those imported from abroad.

Going to zero waste

Given the amount of waste everyone produces, recycling alone is not enough. Zero waste is the best way to become friends with the environment. Through very simple gestures, you can both save money and reduce your carbon footprint, i.e., make your household products, limit your plastic consumption, think about sorting, etc.

 

Many more ideas on the Citizenwave application. If you want to share your ideas and find those of others, don’t hesitate to download it!

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11-02-2020

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