Many students using our footprint calculator said that they could not pledge to reduce their home footprints because they were not making the decisions for the household. Here is your chance to design your own sustainable virtual household!
If you had your own home, what would you do to make it more energy efficient? Where would you get your electricity from? Where would your house be? Would you live near to your school or work or local transit options? Where would you get your food from?
MY Family Footprint >
My Family Footprint
When discussing how to reduce carbon levels between us, it's important to do research on our own homes first. From calculating 4,424 kgs in my own residence, it was important for me to form new methods for my carbon output. We can start with light and its input within the house. First off, the best way to reduce the light input is just to remember switching them off when you leave the room or aren't in need of them. Additionally, an effective alternative to the standard light bulb, are LED lights. These lights are much more environmentally friendly because they last longer, and are easier to recycle. LED lights use 75% less power and last 25 times longer, LED lights will advance our home's light efficiency for the better. A very common strategy of today is the change to solar panels. Solar panels are a great way to reduce carbon emissions. When PV cells within solar panels capture the sun’s electromagnetic radiation, the energy is able to transmit power into the house with drastic carbon reduction. Another way of paring electricity in the house is unplugging devices. Many people leave their phones and tablets charging for hours on end, without even needing to charge. If you can learn to unplug when it’s not necessary much energy can be saved. Gardening is also a positive way of lowering CO2. Many plants photosynthesize, breaking down carbon molecules in the atmosphere. Home-grown fruits and vegetables can supply your family with luscious greens, lowering the need to administer fossil fuels from your vehicles when grocery shopping. You can also try and enjoy colder showers. When using hot water for long periods of time, much carbon is being proceeded into the atmosphere. If you feel up to it colder showers will help, alongside trying to take shorter ones. You should consider using the AC and heater less. When heating just one home 6,400 pounds of CO2 can be produced. We as humans need to help our earth in many ways and these are small steps each house hold can take.
Sources:
https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/c … n_home.htm