Carbon foot printing is nothing but release of greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) etc, in to the atmosphere directly or indirectly by a person, group, event, organization or product.
As an individual, we should try to put in some effort to minimize the emission of green house gases (GHG’s) into the surrounding environment and we must also educate our friends and family about the benefits of lessening GHG’s by adopting very simple alternatives in daily life.
GHG’s are also released by activities taking place in organization/events which includes direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions are from onsite fuel consumption, manufacturing works, company vehicles and transportation, process emissions etc. whereas indirect emissions are caused by unnecessary usage of electricity and heat. Frequent business travels, waste/refuse disposal, paper wastes, water /food waste can also add to it.
Product carbon footprint is caused by emission of GHG’s at every stage of product’s life starting from extraction, production and transportation of raw materials to waste disposal.
After identifying various kinds of foot printing, next step is calculating it and reduce it.There are so many ways to mitigate our carbon foot prints: Here are some tips to reduce carbon foot print from www.carbonfootprint.com
For Individuals
Here’s a list of simple things you can do immediately
- · Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. …) Click here to find out which electrical items in your household are contribute the most to your Carbon Footprint
- · Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C)
- · Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
- · Check the central heating timer setting – remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work
- · Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load – this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder
- · Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
- · Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
- · Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
- · Sign up to a green energy supplier, who will supply electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) – this will reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero
The following is a list of items that may take an initial investment, but should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings on your energy bills.
- · Fit energy saving light bulbs
- · Install thermostatic valves on your radiators
- · Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls
- · Installing cavity wall installation
- · By installing 180mm thick loft insulation
- · Recycle your grey water
- · Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of “A”
- · Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler
Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly.
- · Car share to work, or for the kids school run
- · Use the bus or a train rather than your car
- · For short journeys either walk or cycle
- · Try to reduce the number of flights you take
- · See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week
- · Next time you replace your car – check out diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own Biodiesel fuel. Find out more about Biodiesel.
- · When staying in a hotel – turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room, and ask for your room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day
As well as your primary carbon footprint, there is also a secondary footprint that you cause through your buying habits.
- · Don’t buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink
- · Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own
- · Buy foods that are in season locally
- · Don’t buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in
- · Reduce your consumption of meat
- · Try to only buy products made close to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands)
- · Buy organic produce
- · Don’t buy over packaged products
- · Recycle as much as possible
- · Think carefully about the type of activities you do in your spare time. Does any of this cause an increase in carbon emissions? E.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting etc. etc…
There are so many useful websites to browse up on. Some are listed here.
www.walkerscarbonfootprint.co.uk
Renfrewshire Environmental Trust's Blog 