Can You Save By Reducing Your Carbon Footprint?
Carbon is said to be the building block of life. In fact, the human body is about 18 percent carbon. From a chemistry standpoint, it’s one of the most versatile elements. But as much as carbon is a good thing, there’s a downside, too.
Carbon dioxide (CO2).
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas. It’s the most abundant of the greenhouse gases, which collectively trap heat in the atmosphere the same way glass panes in a greenhouse trap the heat inside even in the winter. This greenhouse effect is necessary for people to live and thrive, but too much leads to global climate change.
Global climate change means higher overall temperatures, which leads to the ice caps melting, damaged habitats for all sorts of animals, and yes, even erratic weather patterns like the polar vortexes of early 2014.
Unfortunately, we don’t just create CO2 every time we exhale. In fact, there’s even a term that measures how much of it you generate: your “carbon footprint.”
In short, your carbon footprint is how much you are contributing to the greenhouse effect and, therefore, climate change.
Reducing carbon emissions is crucial to mitigating global climate change and protecting the environment.
How Do People Create Carbon Dioxide?
All sorts of activities generate CO2. Among the most obvious are driving a gasoline-powered car and heating your home with oil, coal, or natural gas. Some of the less common sources of carbon dioxide include the following:
Food: transporting food, particular meat and dairy, contributes heavily to increased carbon emissions. So does moving out-of-season produce from where it’s grown while in season to grocery stores around the world.
Vampire electronics: Your microwave may not be running 24/7, but it’s still drawing power for the clock. It’s not the only device that’s running up your energy bill, either. Phone chargers, cable boxes, and other electronics continue to draw power even when they’re switched off. These devices are collectively called “energy vampires” or “vampire electronics.”
Water Usage: It takes energy to transport, pump, and heat the water in your home. When you’re gardening exotic plants that need special irrigation or installing high-powered showerheads, you’re also contributing to the greenhouse effect.
On their own, none of these activities may seem like a big deal. However, according to a 2009 Energy Information Administration report, the average household in the U.S. generated 14,920 pounds of carbon. That’s 6.8 metric tons per household, multiplied by more than 100,000. It all starts to add up.
Greenhouse Gases: The Global Picture
Climate change is a complicated subject, and one that needs to be combatted on a worldwide scale. The US is one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gases, but it’s not the only country generating massive amounts of carbon emissions.
There’s good news though: On the whole, the U.S. has actually managed to reduce its carbon footprint. The federal government is pushing to bring carbon emissions down from 2005 levels by 17 percent by 2020. As of 2013, emissions were 10 percent below what they were in 2005. That’s even despite the fact that in 2013 energy-related carbon emissions actually rose 2 percent (mostly because of an increased use of coal).
What Can You Do to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
Reducing your carbon footprint isn’t just good for the planet: it’s good for your wallet, too. By reducing the amount of resources you consume, you lower your utility bills and other expenses. Here are some easy ways to cut back on the amount of carbon you generate:
Carpool and use public transport: Fewer vehicles on the road equates to lower emissions, and with mass transit, the numbers are divided among more people, which translates to a smaller carbon footprint for everyone. Plus, you’ll save on the cost of gas.
Walk or ride a bike: Even more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. And it’s good for your health.
Buy local: This goes for food and other products. When you buy local, you’re reducing the need to transport goods long distance.
Use power strips: Power strips let you cut off power to multiple devices with the flip of a switch. Plus, many have built-in surge protectors that safeguard your electronic devices against dangerous fluctuations in power.
Unplug and power-down devices when not in use: if you have an old stereo you only listen to on occasion, unplug it. Put computers in sleep mode, or save your games and power the consoles down instead of just leaving them on pause.
Upgrade to energy-efficient devices: Replacing your old, inefficient appliances can translate to cost savings to you while reducing your carbon emissions. Look for an ENERGY STAR rating and check the estimated yearly operating costs. Look for low-flow plumbing fixtures to reduce the amount of water you use.
Just like the little things add up when it comes to creating carbon dioxide, the little things add up when you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, so taking small steps can make a big difference in the long run.
Want to know more? Check out the EPA’s calculator to get a more accurate estimate of your carbon footprint and how much you could reduce your footprint by (and how much you could save by doing so).
Sources:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/ind-assumptions.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/us-carbon-emissions_n_4589597.html
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=1457
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/01/03/with-a-bit-of-luck-the-u-s-could-actually-hit-its-2020-climate-change-goals/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/01/13/after-years-of-decline-u-s-carbon-emissions-rose-2-percent-in-2013/
http://energy.gov/articles/are-energy-vampires-sucking-you-dry, http://mashable.com/2013/10/22/reduce-carbon-footprint/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide
http://chemistry.about.com/od/biochemistry/tp/Chemical-Composition-Of-The-Human-Body.htm
http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/basics/today/greenhouse-effect.html
http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/article/greenhouse_gas.cfm
