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 >
How I Will Improve My Family's Carbon Footprint
My carbon footprint was slightly lower than average for my area mostly due to the fact that I do not often go out shopping for clothes and such. However, there is still room for improvement. To decrease my family's carbon footprint, I would like to switch out all of the incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs in my house for LED bulbs. According to GreenMatters, incandescent bulbs require 150 watts to achieve a brightness level of 2,600 lumens while LEDs require merely 25-28. Although LED bulbs are slightly more expensive than traditional ones, they are definitely worth the investment when used properly. In addition to lights, I'd like to take shorter showers with lower pressure, because it can save dozens of gallons of water. Finally, I would like to lower the amount of gallons per flush in our toilets because even a small change can add up over time.
http://www.greenmatters.com/home/2018/0 … sions-2017
LED light bulbs are a good idea but they are not enough. There are more ways that you can improve other than light bulbs. Do you compost? Do you recycle? If you don't already you should it is good for the environment. Taking shorter showers is a great idea you should do that. Maybe you could have a home garden or plant some trees to reduce tour carbon output. There are many ways to reduce your footprint I hope that you take some of my advice.
All of these are great ways to lower your carbon footprint. There are even more big ways you can lower your carbon footprint. Lowering how much you drive in a car is a big help. Do you bike or walk to places instead of using a car? Do carpool? Do you use public transportation? These are all great ways to lower your carbon footprint. Transportation counts for 31% of the annual carbon dioxide emissions. I hope you take this into consideration.
These are great ways to reduce your carbon footprint. National Geographic says that you can reduce your carbon footprint at home by using energy efficient light bulbs such as LED light bulbs. You can also adjust your thermostat up in warm months and down in cold ones, especially when you’re not home. Using cold water for washing clothes, then line-drying them will also reduce your carbon footprint. Recycle. The EPA estimates that recycling glass, aluminum, plastic, and paper could save 582 pounds of CO2 per year, equivalent to more than 600 miles of driving.
On the road, you can maximize fuel efficiency, no matter what model you drive: Keep tires inflated, avoid speeding, keep your trunk free of excess weight—and above all, avoid driving when you can walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit.
Reduce your flight travel where you can, and remember that, unfortunately for your personal comfort, first- and business-class seats have a higher carbon footprint than economy ones.
Lastly, in stores buy less meat, and opt for sustainable sources when it comes to what you do p urchase. By one estimate, consuming a pound of beef gives off more carbon than burning a gallon of gasoline. Bring your own bags and buy in bulk when possible to reduce packaging. Reduce your consumption of bottled water and other packaged drinks. In general, driving up demand for plastic means doing the same for fossil fuels.Consider the global impact of acquiring more stuff. One study found that a big share of China’s pollution was associated with goods manufactured for export to the U.S. and elsewhere.
I had a carbon footprint lower than my area's average, but my food went much higher than the average. Making better choices on the food I eat, including where it is grown, and if it is organic or not, all of these can affect my carbon footprint and therefore improve it. My shopping is lower than the average in my area, but mainly because I usually do my shopping on my own and pick out my own things. My transportation took up a lot of carbon as well, because I usually am in the car 24/7, either going to school or getting things for the house.
Those are all great ways to lower your footprint. My carbon footprint was high and not that great in some areas. My household also does not use efficient light bulbs and I am looking forward to hopefully make this change happen in my household. Taking shorter showers and not wasting water is not something my family takes into account and will happily tell them the concern and make a difference. Taking public transportation in my family is a big thing we do so we can stay on top of that to help as much as possible.