We are usually reminded that when we visit a gorgeous pristine place, we should take only photos and leave only footprints. But not if we are talking about our carbon footprint, because we want to reduce those ! A carbon footprint is the measure of the impact that our activities have on the environment, especially global warming. It’s the measurement of all Carbon emissions that we produce in our daily lives thru the burning of traditional fuels for heating, transport, electricity etc and is measured re tons of carbon dioxide.
Analysis shows that each person in Australia and the States now emits more than 5 tons of carbon each year. Australia has only 0.32 p.c of the Earth’s population, yet contributes 1.43 p.c of its carbon emissions. There are so many different ways that we as people can reduce our carbon footprint and make a genuine difference to the environment. From our choice of ink cartridges to our eating habits, we will make changes for the better. The average Aussie home produces around 7 tons of Carbon emissions every year from home electricity use.
We should turn off appliances and lights when they’re not being used and use energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs. Don’t forget to turn down the central heating and the water heating system and fill dishwashers and washing machines with a full load to save water, electricity and washing products. For each litre of gas used, over 2 kilograms of CO2 ( CO2 ) is freed from the exhaust pipe of an average vehicle, comparing to 4 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Take the bus, or the bike or better still, walk ! Meat and cheese production account for between 5 and ten times more emissions than grain and nut foods that have equal nutritive worth.
Cutting down dairy foods can save up to 3 tons of CO2 emissions every year. Also, purchasing dried or fresh food will save emissions, as you save on all of the energy that goes into making the packaging for tinned and bottled foods and drinks. Glaringly , transporting food and other products consumes plenty of fuel, so wherever possible buy local, particularly from farmers’ markets and organic outlets. Reduce, recyle and reuse.
And when it comes to printer cartridges, if you buy yours online from Earthink, you will be carbon clever. Earthink is a 100% Australian company that delivers ink cartridges and other products countrywide, with some of proceeds from each ink cartridge they sell going to Carbon Neutral, a not-for-profit organisation which plants local trees around Australia to take in CO2 and offset carbon emissions. Revolutionizing the way you purchase ink cartridges could be a tiny step for you, but it is a giant jump for carbon footprint reduction!