Reducing the Carbon Footprint

We all have heard about Global Warming and the effects we are witnessing in our climate today. What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint in helping reduce this phenomenon? There are many ways an individual can take to reduce their negative impact on the environment. having many people making simple little changes in the way we live and use energy we can make a big difference in the environment and at the same time reduce our expenses and improve our lifestyle.

Reducing your energy consumption in your home would be a great place to start. Replacing incandescent lights with energy saving compact fluorescent of LED bulbs will reduce the amount of electricity you use is a simple step to do. Also turning lights and small appliances off in areas of the home where not needed helps reduce the energy used and the carbon footprint you leave.

Turning down the thermostat and using the air-conditioning less also reduces your energy consumption. Consider buying high energy efficient appliances bearing the Energy Star label when buying replacements.

Buying electrical appliances instead of gas units will reduce your use of fossil fuels and amount of pollution generated, especially if you are using green energy.

Reducing the amount of water we use does not only save us on energy but will also ensure that we will have clean water to use for years to come. You use less water and energy to heat it when taking a shower compared to taking a bath. It doesn't take a lot of effort to turn off the tap between rinsing your toothbrush or rinsing dishes while washing them and can save on the amount of water used.

There are several ways to go greener with your transportation choices. For example, driving a smaller vehicle will use far less fuel than a big gas-guzzling full-size pickup and generates far fewer fossil fuels polluting the environment. For those few times you do need a truck to haul something that won't fit in your car you can always rent one. The benefit is that you will save lots of money on fuel, insurance and maintenance along with not messing up the air we breath as much.

The way we buy, including our food, can also influence the size of our carbon footprint. By purchasing more fresh local products and less processed foods is not only healthier and boosts the local economy but also reduces the size of the carbon footprint we leave. We reduce energy usage with reduced shipping, transportation, fuel, storage and labour costs.

There are so many ways as an individual we can reduce global warming and ensure a sustainable environment for our children and our children's children future. Don't forget to recycle, it's a great simple way that can reduce the harmful impact we are leaving. Join in the revolution of reducing our carbon footprint.