Climate change has the potential to be overwhelming.
The research is challenging because there are so many unknowns when it comes to potential effects.
Although true remedies would necessitate global intervention, there are decisions you can make in your daily life to reduce your personal environmental effects.
Buckle up kids, we’re about to dive into 21 ways to reduce your carbon footprint!
What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is the net amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product or service during its manufacturing, usage, and disposal.
It includes carbon dioxide, the most common gas produced by humans, as well as other gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, all of which trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.
Usually, the majority of an individual’s carbon footprint will come from transportation, housing, and food.
21 Quick Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint: 1. Eat Low on the Food Chain
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans!
Live-stock, meaning meat and dairy, are responsible for nearly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
This doesn’t mean you have to go full-out vegetarian or vegan, but consider trying out Meatless Monday!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:2. Choose Local and Organic
And what’s in season!
Transporting food from afar, whether by truck, ship, train, or aircraft, necessitates the use of fossil fuels for both fuel and cooling to prevent food spoilage- increasing the carbon footprint of your meals.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:3. Buy in Bulk
When it makes sense- buy in bulk using your own containers and bags.
The goal here is to reduce packaging.
Skip buying items in bulk that will expire before you have a chance to consume them.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:4. Reduce Your Food Waste
Meal plan! Don’t know where to start?
Check out this toddler meal prep blog!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:5. Grow Your Own
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs may sound daunting, but if you stick to foods that will thrive in your environment it can become a fun, and edible hobby- all while reducing your carbon footprint
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:6. Compost
Compost your food waste if at all possible.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:7. Be Mindful of Your Driving
Slow and steady wins the race to reducing your carbon footprint.
Drive at a steady pace and avoid harsh braking and revving of your engine.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:8. Drive Less
If you can avoid a two-minute drive and trade it for a ten-minute walk, gear up and soak up those rays!
Remember, Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin is an essential nutrient!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:9. Service Your Vehicle
I’m a stickler for changing out the cabin air filter, but many don’t even know to check.
Stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance - and check those tires at every gas fill-up.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:10.Tune Your Thermostat
Lower your thermostat in the cold months and raise it in the warm months.
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Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:11. Turn Down Your Water Heater
It’s recommended to keep your hot water heater at 120 simply to reduce burns - especially with children, but by lowering your hot water heater you’re saving about 550 pounds of CO2 A YEAR!
Look at you, reducing your carbon footprint in about 30 seconds!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:12. Unplug Your Electronics
I’m not saying you need to unplug your fridge but just get into the habit of unplugging your phone charger.
This is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint this year.
Why?
Because 75% of the electricity used by chargers is when we’re not actually using them! Yikes.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:13. Recycle
Paper, steel, tin cans, water bottles, and even laundry detergent bottles can be recycled.
Check with your city or state's website for acceptable recycling.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:14. Donate or Re-Sell Your Gently Used
Give a second life to gently used clothing, working electronics, and furniture instead of putting them at your curb.
Facebook Marketplace has made it incredibly simple to reduce your carbon footprint in the app we’re already using more than we should.
Instead of pitching it- think “would someone else use this”
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:15. Seal Your Home
If you feel a draft, be sure to seal it up!
Many utility companies offer this carbon footprint-reducing service for free!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:16. Ditch Paper Products
Unpaper EVERYTHING.
Yes, everything. Paper towels, napkins, baby wipes, makeup pads, and even toilet paper.
UN-paper them!
There’s a reusable fabric alternative for marley's monsters!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:17. Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
This switch took me a bit longer, but it’s one I’ll never regret.
Pads and Tampons are an expensive part of having a menstrual cycle.
Consider a reusable mom wellness menstrual cup or cloth pad during shark week.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:18. Switch Your Swab
Backtracking to paper products.
Do you clean your ears every morning? Or perhaps before bed?
Maybe two times a day?
You can reduce that carbon footprint by switching to the NakedSwab!
A re-usable “cotton” swab!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:19. Switch to Sustainable Sponges
While we’re washing our un-paper products, we might as well wash our sponges as well!
Your run-of-the-mill disposable sponge harbors bacteria. (squirm)
A reusable, washable sponge will last you at LEAST a year!
This saves you a trip to the store *ahem* saving your gas, time, and you guessed it - carbon emissions.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:20. Reduce Packaging Waste
Back to reducing your packaging, but this time I’m thinking more along the lines of your self-care items.
Switching to eco-friendly shampoo, body wash, and even toothpaste will go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint, plus many of the products are multi-purpose reducing that even further!
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:21. Cloth Diaper
You’re probably already cloth diapering, but if you haven’t crossed that bridge, consider this your invitation and get it from our cloth diaper earth day sale.
Cloth Diapers are cute, can be reused for multiple children, and simply are better for baby and the environment!
Conclusion -Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint in 2021
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Gosh, I hope not, but if you are - pick one thing from this list.
Yes, just one and focus on that.
Once you are comfortable and have found your groove I am challenging you to pick one or two more things off this list!
Start small and grow big!
Need a jumping-off point?
Consider the NakedSwab.
The thing my husband was most grossed out about- initially. Now he loves the darned thing.
NakedSwab is a reusable, sustainable, and sanitary alternative to cotton swabs.
1 NakedSwab = 2000 Cotton Swabs!
Straws are not the only thing polluting our sea waters and land.
Click here to switch from Cotton Swab to NakedSwab.
