Let’s start by understanding what a carbon footprint actually is. A carbon footprint is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization or a community. In essence, it is being aware of how all the things you do each day - from your transportation decisions to what you eat for dinner – and what output of greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels are necessary to complete those actions. Fairly straightforward, but the really important and difficult part starts once we have understood what this term means.
Each decision we make is related to using energy that was generated from somewhere, most often from the use of fossil fuels. These fossil fuels being burned to produce everything from your water bottle to the petroleum in your car release greenhouse gases- molecules that trap the world’s heat, damage the ozone layer that protects us from the sun and ultimately contributes to the crisis of global warming- something that affects each and every one of us.
Whew.
The irony of the situation is that although all of us understand the importance of reducing our own carbon footprint, not many of us choose to act upon it.
The increase of carbon footprints is like a chain reaction. Small activities involved in our daily life which might seem harmless, if we add them all together, are actually sucking the life out of our environment. The worst part is that we will be the ultimate victims of all the torment that we are causing to the environment. But not to fear.
On this year’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, let's take a pledge and become partners in reducing our carbon footprints as individuals, communities, and organizations.
Let us take a look at a few ways that can help us achieve our goal:
- The first and the foremost rule is the rule of four R's. It’s old, but indescribably important. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse. Just by following a few simple steps you can execute these principles in your daily life. Reduce your purchasing habits of things you don’t need (for example, get yourself a reusable water bottle instead of buying one on the go every day). Reuse what you can (have leftover grocery bags? Use them as your lunch carrier). Recycle we know, but seldom do because we see it as inconvenient- all you really need though is a second bin, and you’re good to go). Refuse means you make purchase decisions based off of how environmentally friendly a product is (for example, if it has a lot of unnecessary packaging, choose a brand that has earth-friendly packaging).