4 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Solar Power and Other Changes

You’ve heard a lot about the environment lately, and if you’re wondering what you can do to help you’re in the right spot.

17:19 24 February 2013

Global warming and pollution takes its toll on everyone in the world, and people are beginning to step up and take action to reduce some of the ways they contribute to the negative effects of pollution. A carbon footprint is the measure of a person’s direct effect on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

 

The reason people are so concerned with carbon dioxide is because of its tendency to trap warm gases nearer to the surface of the earth. Adding solar power to your home is one of the most significant ways you can impact the environment. One household does make a difference.

 

Over the average of 25 years a person operates a large solar panel system, carbon emissions are reduced by about 25 tonnes. That’s a reduction of an entire tonne of carbon every year! So here are some additional ways to reduce your carbon footprint. 

1Carpool whenever possible, or use public transportation

 

2Use solar power for your home boiler

 

3Walk or bike places whenever and wherever you can

 

4Reduce the number of times you fly or try to combine trips

 

Insulation improvements also help out by making the energy you use much more effective. By using less energy without sacrificing the normal comforts you are accustomed to, you can feel great about reducing your carbon footprint.

 

You can also save on your utility bill as well as reducing your carbon footprint by using special solar powered chargers for your smaller electronics such as laptops, cell phones, or ipads. Switching off appliances when not in use or even unplugging them from the outlet completely, also helps reduce your carbon footprint. 

 

Using solar power along especially combined with other methods such as improving your home’s energy efficiency and using public transportation can mean a very significant positive impact on the environment.