If you are concerned about the amount of greenhouse gas emissions your household is contributing to the global carbon footprint and take these easy steps to help reduce them.
Households generate huge amounts of greenhouse gases each year, contributing to the global carbon footprint. A typical household can save tonnes of greenhouse gas by making simple changes within the home and being thoughtful about choices made. It is a good idea to calculate the amount of carbon a household is currently emitting. This will help to monitor the difference after changes have been made. A calculator for carbon emissions can be found at wwf.org.au/footprint/calculator to help households work out their current footprint.
What is a Carbon Footprint
A “carbon footprint” is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The footprint calculation is for a particular product, event, organization, or household. An individual carbon footprint can also be measured by undertaking an emissions assessment.
Change the Way of Transportation to Save Emissions
More than one-third of household greenhouse gas can be emitted from the car. For short journeys, try walking or riding a bike as this will generate zero emissions and also improves health.
Other options include public transport and carpooling. When it is necessary to use the car, simply plan ahead, combine errands and reduce the number of times the car leaves the garage.
Also, consider what comes into and out of your home. Can you limit the things you order, or have them all arrive together at least in one delivery? Instead of sending so much rubbish to landfills why not make your own compost with a bokashi bin?
Electrical Appliances Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions
To reduce household emissions by about 20%, simply turn off all electrical appliances at the switch and all lights when exiting a room. Appliances on standby still use power, as does a device once it has been charged and not switched off. A microwave oven uses energy just to keep the clock running. Reducing energy use in the home also reduces energy bills.
Cut Shower Time to Save Energy
Emissions from showering come from heating the water. Reducing showers from eight minutes back to four minutes can save two kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions every shower.
Reduce Shopping and Plastic Bags
The more “stuff” you buy, the more greenhouse gases are produced. Watch out for products with unnecessary packaging and also take reusable bags when shopping. Buy products made from recycled materials. Sharing and swapping books, magazines, and other items with friends create no carbon emissions.
Purchase Reusable Water Bottles and Containers
Bottled drinking water produces huge carbon emissions from the manufacturing process, transportation, and then landfill. Buy durable, reusable bottles for drinking water and use containers for food storage instead of plastic wrap to reduce waste.
Reusable coffee cups are an absolutely perfect swap and I love these Huski Home reusable cups a fellow blogger reviewed.
Offset Household Carbon Emissions
Household emissions may be offset by planting trees in the backyard. Starting a worm farm for organic household waste also reduces landfills. Any reductions a single household can make on their greenhouse gas emissions will help to reduce the carbon footprint we all place on the planet.
