Your carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases that are generated by your daily tasks. Greenhouse gases trap heat close in the Earth’s atmosphere, much like a blanket wrapped around the planet. These gases are responsible for warming the Earth’s surface and contributing to climate change. The ongoing climate crisis has resulted in long-term shifts in temperature and extreme weather patterns throughout the world. And although large corporations are responsible for over 71 percent of carbon emissions all over the world, you can still take individual actions to reduce your own carbon footprint. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and adopt lifestyle changes that don’t harm the planet, here are three great ways to do that.
1. Choose earth-friendly packaging as much as possible
If you run a business, are you using eco-friendly packaging? If not, then how much of your choice of packaging is contributing to a large carbon footprint? Earthwise offers carbon neutral packaging for your business. The company upholds the highest sustainability standards to ensure functionality and customer satisfaction. In the design process, the containers are created with raw materials that are formulated from sugarcane plants. This makes the plastic eco-friendly with a near net-zero carbon footprint. Sustainable packaging plays a significant role in fresh produce. It can actually extend shelf life, ensure food safety, and most importantly, reduce food waste and lessen the carbon footprint. A lot of people don’t realize that plastic is actually made from fossil fuels. In order to create plastic, manufacturers process coal, natural gas, and crude oil, which are the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. That’s why Earthwise Packaging products are so innovative, because they’re made from plant-based material like sugarcane.
2. Walk, bike, or take public transportation
Transportation is actually one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions in the United States. According to the EPA, the typical passenger vehicle emits approximately 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every single year, assuming that it’s a vehicle that runs on gasoline, of course. And that makes up most of today’s vehicles. While EVs are gaining in popularity, the vast majority of vehicles still run on gas. So, if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, you may want to consider driving less and relying on public transportation instead. A good rule to follow is that if your destination is less than a mile away, you should definitely just walk there if you’re capable of doing so. When driving on the road and on longer trips, use the cruise control function to save on gas, and consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle if your financial situation allows for it. These are just a few simple ways to cut down on emissions.
3. Buy organic produce from your local farmers’ market
Have you ever thought about how your food gets to your grocery store? The answer is transportation! That’s right. As mentioned above, it’s one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. Transporting food from far distances contributes to the greenhouse effect. The U.S. market transports bananas from Guatemala or Ecuador, and it gets avocado imports from Mexico and Chile. Eggplants could be from Honduras or even Canada. If the situation allows for it, you can choose to support local farmers instead. See if your area has weekly farmers’ markets and build relationships with local farmers. Some cities don’t hold any local farmers’ markets in the winter and spring, so a great option would be to shop for produce that’s in season instead.
Whether you choose to buy gift plants online or carpool with a coworker, there are plenty of ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. Don’t underestimate the fact that your individual impact can inspire others to do the same, thus creating positive changes for the world.
