Modern days have brought with them many comforts. Where the forefathers once walked many miles to reach their desirable destinations, men and women of today can easily jump into several types of carbon-emitting vehicles and zip across the country in no time. Where candles and glass window panes were once a luxury, a myriad of affordable, yet climate-destroying, lighting options grace present-day homes. While these “modern comforts” have made life a lot easier, there is now a need to search for eco-friendly solutions to promote low-carbon economies and lifestyles.
Consider Commute Costs to Reduce Carbon Footprints
Cars are among the top culprits for gobbling up the atmosphere by producing carbon dioxide emissions.Though energy conservation plans herald increasing public transportation, many individuals seem bent on using their own private vehicle every day for transportation. This is not an eco-friendly solution.
On the contrary, the frequent use of public transportation will greatly reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced daily. When traveling to work or taking children to school, consider carpooling. Biking is great exercise as well as an excellent eco-friendly solution for reducing carbon emissions. Walking is also a great eco-friendly solution that should be embraced whenever possible.
Cutting Down on Paper Usage Helps Preserve the Environment
Another large emitter of industrial global warming pollution is the pulp and paper industry. An eco-friendly solution to this problem would be to cut down on paper usage. It would be profitable to the environment if all bills were paid online instead of by mail. Sending e-cards for birthdays and holidays is another suggestion. Consider bringing reusable, cloth shopping bags to the supermarket instead of bringing home more brown paper bags. Remember, recycling reduces wastes while benefiting resource conservation.
A Consciousness of Lost Energy Promotes Low-carbon Awareness
A greater consciousness of lost energy would result in a greater consciousness to conserve it. There are several eco-friendly solutions to saving energy. Firstly, conventional lightbulbs should be replaced with fluorescent ones. Fluorescent bulbs use one-fourth of the electricity of conventional bulbs and last a lot longer. Remembering to turn off lights when leaving a room is a smart, eco-friendly action. Turning off computers, DVD players, stereos and televisions when not in use would also be a wise move.
Mobile phone should be unplugged as soon as they are finished charging. Doors should be closed in infrequently used rooms to conserve energy from heaters and air conditioners. In fact, turning down the thermostat one or two degrees would be ideal. Also, more efficient wash strategies would result in better energy management. Laundering one or two full loads rather than several small loads would conserve energy. Hanging clothes to dry whenever possible would be a tremendous conservation tactic.
Dietary Measures for Carbon Footprint Reduction
Foods purchased out of season most likely have either been flown or shipped in from far away. This does nothing to eliminate carbon footprints. An eco-friendly solution would be to buy local fruits and vegetables, or even try growing your own. Buying organic produce is another viable option.
Organic farmers grow their crops so that the land is cared for and synthetic chemicals are kept out of the soil, water, air, and food supply. Decreasing the amount of meat in the diet is another eco-friendly solution to the reduction of carbon emissions. Meat carries a high energy cost and livestock are responsible for a large percentage of destructive emissions.
The Emergence of a Low Carbon Economy
Our world is changing in many ways. The solution of reducing carbon footprints lies in developing an awareness of the emissions problem and desiring to do something about it. If a conscious effort to reduce carbon emissions is put forth by every individual each day, the final result would be the emergence of a low-carbon economy.
Loraine R. Degraff - Loraine Degraff is a writer and educator of over 10 years. Although much of her writing focuses on natural health, she enjoys learning and ...
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