Climate change is real. Scientists have been sounding the alarm for years, and we’ve already seen its effects on our planet’s weather, ecosystems, and habitable spaces. But it’s not too late to slow global warming and mitigate its worst impacts on the earth. That’s the idea behind “net-zero.” The goal is to drastically reduce greenhouse gasses until we emit equal to or less than the amount removed from our atmosphere. From commuting to work on the best electric bikes for winter to recycling your trash, there are simple ways you can adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
3 Things To Improve Your Footprint
The entire world emits about 43 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year. Unsurprisingly, three countries lead the pack for the highest total emissions: Australia, Canada, and the United States, all averaging between 15 and 17 billion tons annually. The problem seems huge, but each person can contribute a small part of the solution. With that in mind, here are three things you can do right now to help bring carbon emissions down:
- Choose alternative transport methods instead of driving.
- Cut down on your household energy usage.
- Recycle your household’s solid waste.
Public transport, carpooling and cycling are the three top alternatives to commuting by car. Of these three, biking to worse releases the least amount of CO2. And there’s very little difference in emissions between a 7 speed electric bike and a traditional two-wheeler. The European Cyclists Federation reveals that ebikes create between 2.5 and 5 grams of CO2 per mile. In contrast, each vehicle emits about 410 grams of CO2 per mile.
You don’t have to sacrifice modern conveniences to reduce your energy usage. You can adopt a few small changes now to get on the right path. Programmable and smart thermostats offer better control over in-home temperatures for improved efficiency. Switching to LED lights consumes 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Other great suggestions include selecting gas and electric suppliers that use renewable energy and purchasing appliances with the ENERGY STAR symbol.
Recycling is another huge step in reducing our carbon footprint. It redirects solid waste away from incinerators and landfills, which contribute to both energy usage and emissions. Opt for products with recyclable packaging and recycle materials such as paper, steel and tin cans. Before tossing out broken electronics, check locally for free recycling programs. And instead of throwing away items in good condition, consider donating them to local charities.
Making a Difference for Our Planet
Changing your lifestyle must be strategically done to be successful. After all, Rome was not built in a day. But each small step that you take can gradually help reduce your overall impact on our environment. That means every positive eco-friendly habit you adopt is a worthwhile victory: riding your women’s cruiser bike to work, buying LED bulbs, donating used goods to charity and so on. By acting collectively and individually, we can reach the goal of net-zero carbon emissions and create better outcomes both now and for future generations.
