How can I reduce my carbon footprint?   

Global warming and climate change are brought about by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. The major contributor to these problems is the burning of fuel to get the energy we need to run our cars, electricity for our homes and industries, and to manufacture the things that we use every day. Going green and carbon offsetting are seen as the solution to these disaster causing problems. But before you go into these grander scales which include renewable energies and reforestation projects, you need to get your own carbon dioxide (CO2) production under control and substantially lessen your carbon footprint.

Below you'll find a few things you can do immediately to reduce your carbon footprint.

Use a green energy company – replace your gas powered provider with a green energy provider that supplies energy created by wind, hydro, or solar power.

Insulate your home – when your home is properly insulated, the heat will not be able to escape during winter and protect its interior against the heat during summer. This will greatly reduce the usage of your air conditioning system, thereby cutting down carbon emissions along with energy bills and saving you a great deal of money in the long run. Insulate your water heating system, too.

Turn down the temperature on water and air conditioning systems slightly – turning them down by just one degree will save you about 10%, and that is a very significant reduction in energy consumption and a large contribution to the cause. Alternatively, get an air conditioning service. This will ensure that your air conditioning system is running at it's optimal and most efficient level.

Unplug electrical appliances – do not leave them on standby. No matter how little power they consume during stand by, the power consumed will be significant when added altogether.

Boil less water – it is a big waste of energy when you boil a full load of water in your kettle just to make a cup of coffee. So boil only what you can consume.

Minimize flying – airplanes consume a lot of fuel. So whenever it is possible to travel by land, take the train or bus. They consume less energy. And don’t use that excuse you are in a hurry, it is just a matter of time management.

Car share – minimize using your car. Use the bus or the train instead. Let somebody else do the driving, it will be less stressful. For bringing the kids to school, share a ride with a friend or neighbour’s kids and take turns in bringing them to school.

Upgrade your appliances – todays appliances are designed to be energy efficient compared to the old ones we used to know. If you do not have the budget to replace your old appliances at once, then you can do that slowly - one at a time. This entails a bit more expense but the benefit in terms of savings and environment is huge in the long run.

Exploit the sunlight – open your curtains during the day to capture the heat of the sun and close them at sunset. With this practice, you had minimized carbon production and up to 70% on your air conditioning bill.

An energy performance certificate will tell you how and where you can save energy and money in your home.

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