| Your carbon footprint is a measure of how much | | | | it also directly pollutes the atmosphere at a high |
| greenhouse gases you are creating by your | | | | altitude which directly damages the environment in |
| activities; for working purposes carbon dioxide is | | | | a very sensitive spot. We can assess our impact |
| the gas which is measured, however there are | | | | on the environment by considering how many |
| other gases and emissions which are created too, | | | | long and short haul flights we take, and it pays to |
| it is just that carbon dioxide levels are the most | | | | consider whether we really need to take a flight, |
| practical variable to focus on. The first step in | | | | especially short haul hops when there are |
| reducing your impact on the environment is to | | | | alternatives such as the train available. |
| assess what your level of carbon dioxide | | | | In our Diet |
| emissions is, i.e. your carbon footprint. You can | | | | The food we eat directly affects our carbon |
| then look at what steps you can take to reduce | | | | footprint with both the quantity and frequency |
| it and this will lead to a direct benefit on the | | | | with which we eat meat and non-organically |
| environment. | | | | farmed vegetables. If you eat processed foods |
| In the Home | | | | instead of unadulterated vegetables, this increases |
| Our home is responsible for the creation of | | | | the levels of carbon emissions you are responsible |
| carbon emissions simply by using power and the | | | | for. You can reduce your carbon footprint by: |
| focus here is on how efficient our homes are in | | | | - reducing the frequency and quantity of meat in |
| using it. How many people live in our homes | | | | your diet; |
| together with how large the property is directly | | | | - reducing the amount of processed foods |
| impact upon the size of the carbon footprint, but | | | | consumed; |
| there are things you can do to reduce it: | | | | - increasing the use of vegetables and especially, |
| - Improve cooling and heating efficiency; | | | | organically farmed foods; and |
| - Improve lighting efficiency; | | | | - increasing the consumption of locally or |
| - Use Energy Star appliances and unplug electrical | | | | home-grown produce (because your food has far |
| equipment and appliances when they are not in | | | | less distance to travel from farmer to your dinner |
| use; and | | | | table). |
| - Reduce the usage of hot water and reduce the | | | | With Your Recycling Habits |
| wastage of hot water. | | | | Your level of recycling and reusing of products |
| On the Road | | | | and materials directly affects the size of your |
| How many cars are in the household together | | | | carbon footprint. If you recycle materials, such as |
| with the mileage we cover directly contributes to | | | | waste paper and packaging, you reduce the level |
| our carbon footprint, but again we can reduce this | | | | of greenhouse gas emissions you are responsible |
| impact by: | | | | for. Holding off replacing your car, household |
| - reducing the total mileage our vehicles cover, e.g. | | | | appliances and clothing will also lead to greater |
| by car pooling, by using the bus or by walking | | | | efficiency and utility of the goods you consume |
| instead of driving short distances; | | | | and increase your personal and household |
| - checking the air filters on a regular basis and | | | | consumption efficiency. |
| replacing frequently; and | | | | You can affect your carbon footprint by: |
| - checking the tire pressure as low tire pressure is | | | | - recycling materials rather than trashing them; |
| a cause of fuel inefficiency. | | | | - compost food scraps and yard waste; and |
| In the Air | | | | - delaying purchasing new items and appliances or |
| Flying is a major source of greenhouse gases and | | | | purchasing second-hand ones. |