CO2 and you: ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

As we come to the end of Net Zero week it may seem as though our chances to reach our 2050 targets are getting further and further away. Although it appears to be all doom and gloom there are still glimmers of light in our future.

Year after year we see the number of renewable outputs increase on a global scale and our dependency on fossil fuels decrease. Even as recently as 2020 we saw the shrinking of the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica as a result of the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Within the next 4 decades the ozone layer is expected to recover according to the UN, further helping to limit the warming of the planet.

But what can we all do to help further decrease the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted and stop the earth from hitting a 1.5°C warming target? We’ve put together a guide of simple day-to-day actions we can all do to benefit the planet.

Energy habits

The easiest way to curb emissions is by using less power. Make sure any technologies in your house, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones are unplugged once they are fully charged or are turned off when you are not using them.

Another area for energy reduction savings is the lighting in your home. By switching to all LED lighting, a household on average can use between 80-90% less energy and save up to 65 kg of CO2 from being emitted. To further decrease the amount of energy being used in your home is by washing your laundry in cold water. Modern cold-water detergents are specifically designed to work better in such temperatures. By washing two loads of cold-water laundry a week people can save over 225 kg of CO2 a year! These actions will help to not only reduce the amount of CO2 from being emitted but will also reduce the cost of your energy bills.

For longer term savings of carbon and costs, you can look at switching your energy providers. More and more energy companies are providing renewable tariffs. Or you can go one step further by installing solar panels or KT Wind Panels at your residence. Although there will be an initial upfront cost both technologies can reduce your emissions and provide energy independence.

Food

Modern food consumption accounts for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. The modern diet includes a wide variety of food sources that require vast amounts of land and water, and often come from far away locales. Yet, one of the hottest topics and trends in eating habits may be the best way to reduce your impact.

Going. Vegan.

Although it may not be the most favourable, a vegan diet can cut your yearly emissions by up to 20%.

If this isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other options. Just cutting down red meat consumption can help to significantly reduce your emissions. A study by the Lancet Medical Journal suggests that to keep inline with a “healthy planet diet”, Europeans would need to cut red meat consumption by 77%. Another option is to eat locally and sustainably sourced foods.

When shopping at grocery stores pay attention to the source of origin of your foodstuffs or visit a local farmers market, both can help. Or you can take the ultimate challenge of The 100-Mile Diet, by only eating foods that have been grown in a 100-mile radius from where you live.

Transportation

One of the largest sources of CO2 emissions globally is from transportation. It is no secret that our daily transportation habits are not the best for the planet. While not everyone can afford to purchase a new electric vehicle or have access to great charging stations there are other ways to help limit your emissions through travel. Some of the most obvious are by either using public transportation or cycling to work or for short journeys.

When it comes to long-distance travelling there are alternatives that can be better for the health of the planet. Instead of taking short-haul domestic flights take the train where possible. National Rail emits 0.07 kg of Co2 per mile compared to a domestic flight which emits 6 times the amount of CO2 per mile.

However, if you do need to fly to your destination it is better to book direct flights to reduce your carbon emissions. This is due to the fact that planes emit the most amount of carbon when taking off and landing. Flying direct reduces these emissions by not having to repeatedly land and take-off in a single journey.

Daily habits

When it comes to our daily habits the most common environmentally sustainable philosophy encountered is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. However, when applied to daily rituals and interactions the impact can be significate.

By replacing the number of single-use plastics with other sustainable reusable alternatives people can reduce the amount of plastic being produced and shipped, limiting CO2 emissions. Recycle Now is a great site to use for finding local recycling companies where you can recycle any type of waste in your area.

When applied to fashion and clothing this philosophy can have immense benefits. Fuelled by the rise of social media influencers and other media formats, fast-fashion is quickly becoming a sustainability nightmare. In fact, the fast fashion industry is responsible for 1.2 BILLION tonnes of CO2 each year. This is more than both the aviation and shipping industries combined. It also leads to more than 1 million tonnes of waste per year.

Fear not, there are ways to combat this. People can shop at thrift or consignment stores and even rent dresses and other formal attires for events. Buying well-made and sustainable clothing will decrease the amount in landfills and add to the longevity of your closet. And, if your clothes no longer fit or you are simply tired of them there are many places to donate old clothing or re-sell them.

Finally, one of the easiest ways to know the impact of your lifestyle habits is to use a carbon footprint calculator. We recommend WWF’s carbon footprint calculator or downloading the Pawprint app for those who’d like to know on the go.