The power of making a difference to this world lies in our own hands. Small steps taken by every individual can help in making a huge difference and save our earth from the climate crises. One way to bring this change is to reduce your Carbon Footprint.

https://decodingbiosphere.com/2022/03/19/carbon-footprint-calculator-and-ways-to-reduce-it/

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in Your Home

1. Make your Home Energy Efficient

According to the Department of Energy, the typical American family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Much of the money is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances, or inefficient heating and cooling systems.

The DOE’s Energy Saver DIY Project Guide provides easy, step-by-step instructions on several home energy-efficiency improvements that will save you energy and money. For a DIY guide to sealing and insulating your home, see ENERGY STAR’s comprehensive guide.

1. Buy energy-efficient appliances as they’ll reduce your carbon footprint and you’ll save money on your energy bills.
2. Look for the ENERGY STAR label on the appliances. Try out the ENERGY STAR Savings Calculator to help you look beyond the sticker price for energy savings.
3. Set the refrigerators and freezers at energy-efficient temperatures. Fridge: between 38-42º F. Freezer: between 0-5º F.
4. Swap out incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient alternatives. According to the Department of Energy, replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR rated alternatives will save you $70 – $75 each year.
5. replace the outdoor incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient options, including solar-powered and motion-sensing lighting.
6. Insulate the door and windows at home. It will help you to reduce the cost of heating by at least 25%.

2. Switch off When Not in Use

1. Turn off lights when you leave a room even if you are using the energy efficient devices.
2. Turn off the water when brushing teeth or washing dishes.
3. Fix those leaky faucets, toilets, showerheads, and more to reduce water usage and save money.
4. Take a quick shower and use a low-flow showerhead.
5. Wash full loads of clothes in cold water when using a washing machine. Remember that the front load washing machine uses only 1/3 or 1/4 of water as compared to the top load.
6. Pull out the plugs on appliances and devices when not in use.

3. Watch our what you eat

1. Eat less red meat and more plants. It’s not only healthy, but the carbon footprint is less than a meat-heavy diet.
2. Eat less processed, packaged foods. Again, a healthier option, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint as these types of foods are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Don’t waste the food.

https://decodingbiosphere.com/2022/04/25/ways-to-reduce-your-food-waste-footprint-right-now/

4. Adopt a Zero-waste Lifestyle

Did you know that the world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually? Out of this at least 33 percent is handled in environmentally unsafe ways. Also, worldwide, waste generated per person per day averages 0.74 kilograms but ranges widely, from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms. Though they only account for 16 percent of the world’s population, high-income countries generate about 34 percent, or 683 million tonnes, of the world’s waste.

It all covers the plastic bottles, paper cups, tissue papers the packaging material you use every day. Disposing of this waste using various techniques releases tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

If every individual takes some initiative and brings a change into the lifestyle by adopting the zero waste approach, this waste can be reduced drastically.

https://decodingbiosphere.com/2022/02/17/10-ways-to-adopt-a-zero-waste-lifestyle/

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