.As climate change affects our planet’s health and ecosystems, it’s important to do our part to stave off or offset its negative impacts. One way to help lessen the effect of climate change is to reduce our carbon emissions.
There are many ways humankind can pitch in to help reduce carbon emissions
- Reduce air travel. As of 2017, the amount of transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions eclipsed the amount of electricity generation emissions. Transportation is now the number-one source of greenhouse gases. Eliminating just one roundtrip transatlantic flight will save you 1.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year.
- 2. Make your driving more efficient. While living a car-free lifestyle may not be possible for everybody, try substituting car trips with bike rides, bus trips, train rides, or other forms of public transportation. When you drive, cut back on fossil fuel emissions by accelerating slowly and using the air conditioning sparingly. Check your tire pressure for better fuel economy, carpool when possible, and consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle if you want a new car
- 3. Plant trees. Deforestation is one of the significant causes of carbon emissions. Trees absorb and store the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but they can no longer absorb carbon once they are cut down. Planting trees is among the most inexpensive, natural ways to take climate action and reduce our negative environmental impact.
- 4. Switch to clean energy. Clean energy is another way to help reduce carbon emissions. Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal energy are all energy sources with a higher level of sustainability, produce low carbon emissions, and lower our dependence on natural gas and resource harvesting
- Make your home more energy-efficient. If you live in a state that allows you to choose your energy supplier, the first thing you should do is look for a supplier that uses renewable energy sources. For instance, a coal-fired power plant burns fossil fuel and is more harmful to the environment than wind power or solar power. Ensure your home is adequately insulated and that doors and windows are sealed with weather stripping to prevent cooled and heated air from escaping. Lastly, reduce energy use in your everyday life: Buy appliances that meet United States energy efficiency standards, use your thermostat to regulate temperatures and try to use your air conditioning infrequently, turn off all lights and appliances when you’re not using them, and replace old lights with LED light bulbs that use less energy.