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Contrary to what many publications tell us there are ways that we can save the planet, even when we might feel like we don’t know how. It doesn’t involve grandiose superhero-like actions either. Protecting our planet can be as simple as small everyday actions that focus on one area like reducing our CO2 footprint. We’ve all read the facts that CO2 emissions are rising the temperatures of the Earth’s surfaces. We know that turning off the lights in a room that we’re not in is good for both the environment and our electric bill. Yet, do know that there are multiple things that you can do everyday to reduce your carbon footprint? The facts about a problem are one thing, but being able to put the solutions into action is how we work towards the common goal of making our planet better.
If we can ask brands to be sustainable in multiple different ways, we can be sustainable in multiple ways with our lifestyle and turning off lights, simply doesn’t cut it. To that end we’ve found a few everyday changes that you can make to you lifestyle that will help you to make a positive impact on the environment by reducing CO2 emissions.
The average US household produces 7.5 tons of CO2 equivalents per year.
Forest Preserves
Eat Local & Organic
The Problem: It’s estimated that the average conventional produce item that landed on your plate traveled 1,500 miles. Storing and transporting food requires more energy and is responsible for 5 to 17 times more CO2 than local produce.
What You Can Do: Shop local farmers markets or food stalls in your area where food has a shorter journey making it to your plate. Ask if the produce is organic. Often times, the produce will be grown without pesticides or other chemicals if it’s a smaller farm.
Carbon Reduction: 7-66%
Eating organic can reduce your CO2 emissions up to 66%.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States
Recycle, Repair or Give-Away Before Tossing Into The Landfill
The Problem: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw out 16 million tons of textile waste yearly with 10 million tons slowly decomposing in landfills.
What You Can Do: Embrace slow fashion and buy high quality clothes that last longer. If there are items that you no longer wear give them to friends or host a clothing swap with before tossing them into landfills. Alternatively, you can always purchase from brands that have recycling programs and will take back their clothing to reuse them.
Carbon Reduction:
It typically costs $45 per ton to dispose of textiles, equaling hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
Green America
Stop Buying Water In Plastic… And Gatorade… And Lemonade Too
The Problem: Where do we begin with this one? Not only do we as a society depend on plastic, but we’re also drowning in it… literally. Every second, it’s estimated that in the U.S. 1,5000 plastic bottles are consumed. And, a lot it is laced with chemicals. Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make clear plastic and has been linked to birth defects. Some studies have found that 96% of women surveyed have BPA in their bodies.
If you’re wondering where all of these single-use toxic water bottles end up, the answer is that Americans throw out 20 billion plastic bottles yearly. These can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Worse still is that 8 million tons of plastic bottles wind up in our oceans. Overtime, exposure to the elements can make tiny ‘flakes’ of plastic come off of these bottles. Known as ‘micro plastics’ these flakes wind up in everything from our water supply to marine life. Studies have even found microplastics in beer!
Here Is Exactly How This Reusable Water Bottle Can Save The Planet
What You Can Do: Bring your water from home. If you’re wondering how to reduce your carbon footprint, invest in a steel, BPA-free reusable plastic water bottle or bamboo water bottle and bring water with you on your outings. If you’re drinking out, always ask for a glass or ceramic cup.
Carbon Reduction: 1 Bottle = 82.8 grams of CO2
Power plants specially designed to use non-recycled plastics as fuel could theoretically produce 61.9 million MWh of electricity, enough to power 5.7 million homes.
Earth Engineering Center Report
Walk Or Bike More Than Driving
The Problem: You know that cars rely on gas. Yet, did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car emits 4.6 metric tons of CO2 yearly? For every mile driven 404 grams of CO2 are emitted per mile.
What You Can Do: If you’re wondering how to reduce your carbon footprint, know that one of the easiest solutions is to walk. Instead of going for a long drive to unwind, take a stroll through your hometown. If the store is within walking distance consider taking a bike or walking to pick up a few groceries. Try biking to the local park instead of driving. And, if you live in a city, explore areas that are just within walking distance instead of driving.
Carbon Reduction: 75% reduction in greenhouse gases
Around 33.4 kilograms of CO2 emissions are produced to make a pair of jeans.
United Nations Environment Programme
Don’t Buy Fast Fashion
The Problem: Considering that 85% of textiles end up in landfills, it’s a big problem when many of those brands perpetuate the wear-once-and-throw-out lifestyle that keeps fast fashion afloat. Worse still many of these brands rely on cheap plastic-based synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. It’s no wonder that the fashion industry is linked to producing 10% of the world’s carbon emissions.
What You Can Do: Invest in sustainable fashion brands, natural fabrics and slow fashion. Restyle your closet before giving into the latest trend.
Carbon Reduction: Wear an item for 9 months longer and it’s estimated that you can reduce your carbon footprint by 30%.
Around 342 million barrels of oil a year are used to make the polyester fibres in our clothes.
A New Textiles Economy Report 2017
Wash Clothes In Cold Water
The Problem: Laundry is linked to 179 million metric tons of CO2 emissions yearly. Part of that is attributed to heating water which accounts for 90% of the energy used.
What You Can Do: How do you reduce your carbon emissions by 90% in your household? Wash you clothing in cold water. If you’re one who prefers to have their whites in steaming hot water, try pre-soaking items that have a tough stain before putting them into the wash.
Carbon Reduction: It’s estimated that the average household could reduce its CO2 emissions by 864 pounds yearly if 4 out of 5 loads were washed in cold water.
Hang Your Clothes To Dry Them
The Problem: A clothes dryer uses 5 times more electricity than a washer machine does. In the U.S. 83% of households use a dryer in their home.
What You Can Do: Hang your clothing on a clothes rack outside. You might even fall in love with the idea that you clothing won’t be as damaged and will last longer than when you dry them in the dryer. If you have to dry them indoors, invest in a clothes drying rack to quickly set up in a room that has plenty of ventilation or an area that is close to a window to allow them to dry quickly.
Carbon Reduction: It’s estimated that the average family can reduce their carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds yearly just by skipping the clothes dryer.
Air drying can save a t-shirt 1/3 of it’s carbon footprint.
World Wildlife Fund