You have probably heard this before: Our earth is being ruined by the pollution we create on a daily basis. The most polluted areas in the world are our large cities, where the majority of us are from. Yet, it is only when we look at the earth from space that we see just how bad it is - a huge percentage of earth’s land has been deforested and according to the Guardian report, 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been wiped out and some are endangered.

Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is a record of the number of greenhouse gases—like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—that an individual, organization, event or product produces in a set period of time. Greenhouse gases trap heat and make global warming worse.

Carbon Management

Carbon trading and carbon management are very important in today’s climate action. The global markets need to be aware of the efforts each company is making in reducing its carbon footprint. Carbon management is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases and help protect our planet.

There are things we can all do to help reduce carbon footprint — and the sooner we start, the better. The good news is, simple changes in our every day habits can go a long way towards altering the course of climate change. Here’re eight simple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference for the planet:

1. Recycle, reuse, repurpose

Recycling may be old news, but it's a topic that bears repeating every year since not nearly enough people are recycling as they should be. A staggering 91% of plastics aren’t recycled. So unfortunately, most of the plastic waste we produce end up in landfills and oceans and are doing untold damage to the planet.

There is no excuse not to recycle these days because there are plenty of recycling centers across the country that will happily take your bottles, cans, paper and cardboard off your hands for free. Recycling just one ton of paper can save 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water, so it is very helpful.

2. Drive Less

This one is pretty obvious. Cars emit Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases which contribute significantly to pollution. Carpooling with your friends or taking public transport helps reduce your individual contribution. If you ride a moped or bike, even better! Walk if it is a short distance, it will be good for your health too!

3. Reduce Your Energy Use

Please remember to turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Lights and electrical appliances consume energy that may be generated using non-renewable sources, thereby contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. These are easy targets for reducing energy consumption if you take conscious efforts to turn them off when not in use.

4. Avoid Plastic Bags

Plastic bags may be convenient but they really do more harm than good for our environment. They take over 100 years to decompose and often end up in our oceans where they harm marine life. Invest in a reusable shopping bag so that you can eliminate plastic bag waste from your life.

5. Buy Local Produce

Food transported long distances often requires refrigeration or other methods of preservation that require a lot of energy. Buying local produce will reduce the amount of energy required for transportation and also help local farmers make a living doing what they love!

6. Lower Your Thermostat

The typical American home accounts for over 40% of all CO₂ emissions in the United States. By lowering your thermostat by just 1 degree during winter months and raising it by 1 degree during summer months and installing a programmable thermostat, you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2,000 pounds per year!

7. Use Less Hot Water

Hot water costs more than cold water because of the energy required to heat the water to a higher temperature. Try taking short showers instead of long baths and turn down the temperature on your hot water heater.

8. Reduce Food Waste

Food waste has a significant impact on climate change by contributing to methane emissions in landfills. You can help reduce landfill methane production by reducing food waste at home. Try creating a menu for each week before going grocery shopping and sticking to it so that you don't end up with more food than you need and no leftovers.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. That’s our top list of 8 simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save the earth. Hopefully, you’re now ready to kick your eco-friendly habits into high gear. And don’t worry if you ever slip up—as long as you keep trying, that’s all that really matters.