In the world of climate change, we hear the term ‘carbon footprint’ comes up a lot. Everything that we do impacts our world with our carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases from an individual, event, production of a product, or service that emits carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. These greenhouse gases are emitted through the burning of fossil fuels, land clearance, production and consumption of food, manufactured goods, transportation, and other services. A majority of one individual’s carbon footprint is through housing, food, and transportation.
Global warming requires action on a global scale to make a change and here are some small steps to take to do your part. If we all take little steps, we can all make a huge impact to make the world a wonderful place for the next generation.
Silicone Baking Mats
These silicone baking mats replace the need for aluminum foil. They’re reusable and nothing sticks to them. You can buy them in the quarter, half, or full baking sheet sizes. Place them in your baking tray, use it as you would normally do with aluminum foil, put it in the oven, and bake with it. It’s easy to clean and saves you money.
Reusable Water Bottles/Mugs
One of the simplest ways that we all start reducing our carbon footprint is by buying our own water bottle and using it on a daily basis. I have a bottle for everything. I keep one at work, one for the gym, and one at home. I also have my own coffee tumbler for transporting coffee to and from places. You can use it at coffee shops, which will sometimes give you a discount for bringing in your own cup. Keep one at work too, so you don’t need to use the paper cups at work for coffee machines.
Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are made of organic materials and they help dry your laundry faster. These balls are a good weight and they separate your clothes in the dryer as they tumble around. This allows hot air to flow through the clothing and dries faster. They are affordable and are found everywhere and you’ll never need to buy dryer sheets again. I find that 3 balls are ideal for a small load of laundry and 6 balls are great for sheets, and towels. If you like the fragrance that comes from the dryer sheets, here’s a tip. Add a couple of drops of essential oils in whatever fragrance you like on each ball. Add more drops after a few loads of laundry.
Drying Rack
There are so many things that I wash that I can’t throw in the dryer. I realized that I was wasting detergent and electricity by drying my work out clothes. Work out clothes are made to be wet-wicking which means it dries faster. I now hang dry them and they dry within hours. There are other things I put on a drying rack, like items that are delicate, and are meant to be hang dried. The one thing I like about the drying rack is that you can fold it up when you’re done and put it away.
No Fast Fashion
Gone are the days of Forever 21 and H&M. Say no to fast fashion. Its mass production emits an overwhelming amount of CO2 and greenhouse gases. Make better choices for the environment and your wallet. Buy higher quality products that will last longer, or buy from thrift shops, such as ThredUp or Poshmark.
Walk More
Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. In a world where Uber and Lyft are easily accessible and affordable, it’s easy to opt for the more convenient choice. Try walking instead of taking public transportation or driving if you can. If you work in the city and your walk is a little far, think about getting a bike. While combating climate change, you’re also benefiting by getting more exercise in your day.
Reusable Bags
Bring a reusable bag with you when you go shopping for groceries. It is actually easier to carry than plastic or paper bags and will come in handy when your city starts implementing fees for plastic bags. Trust me, Philly, it’s coming!
Eat Less Meat
This one is a hard one. Meat tastes so good, but how meat is produced is the culprit for greenhouse gas emission. Try going vegetarian for one meal. Once you get used to it, try going vegetarian for one whole day in the week.