Your carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere through your daily activities. Each individual can make small changes to their daily routine, and every little helps. The Welsh Assembly Government is currently running a campaign to calculate and reduce the Welsh carbon footprint.
Working to reduce your carbon footprint can have lots of benefits. Not only are you helping to slow down climate change and save the planet, you are also likely to save money and become fitter and healthier by the lifestyle changes that you will make. Read on to find out how...
- Replace standard light bulbs with energy saving ones. They last up to ten times longer and use less electricity
- Install insulation to make sure that the energy you pay for is heating your home, not the street outside your house
- Turn down your thermostat and wear a jumper instead. Just 1°C reduction in every Welsh home would save ￡50 million in heating bills
- Set your washing machine to 30°C (modern detergents work well at this temperature) and hang your washing out rather than using the tumble dryer
- Don’t buy products and groceries with lots of packaging, and make sure you recycle all glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and aluminium foil
- Try to use less water in the kitchen, bathroom and when watering the garden. Showers are better than baths, and the economy cycles on your washing machine or dishwasher will help too
- Start taking your own bags to the supermarket and if you do have to use a carrier bag then reuse it for your next shopping trip
- Walk or cycle short distances and use public transport for longer journeys. If that isn’t possible, consider car sharing to save money and reduce your carbon footprint
- Reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet – livestock farming, particularly cattle, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.