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Carbon Footprint

Defined, carbon footprints are the “measure of the impact that human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.” Simply, our carbon footprint is how we affect our planet through industrial/auto pollution. Global warming is one example of our carbon footprint.

In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported their findings regarding our carbon footprint. Some of their findings stated that 11 of the 12 last years have ranked the warmest since 1850, draughts have been longer/more intense (covered larger areas), and the westerly winds have been stronger. Despite these findings (and the research of Al Gore in his popular movie The Inconvenient Truth), there is still much debate in the U.S. as to whether global warming actually exists. Because of relations with China and India The U.S. has not ratified the Kyoto Treaty, a global measure to reduce every nation’s carbon dioxide output. However, there are several smaller ways of offsetting your personal carbon footprint.

Offsetting carbon footprints is also very good for business. According to a 1997 study, British energy company BP vowed to bring its emission-levels down to 10% below 1990 levels. By performing simple tasks like changing light-bulbs and implementing a scheme similar to carbon credits, the company was able to meet its goal by the end of 2001, nine years ahead of schedule. Not only is this beneficial to the environment, the company reported saving about $650 million!

One of the simplest ways of reducing your carbon footprint is turning off lights. Electricity, and the power plants that supply it, are one of the major contributors of carbon emissions, so any effort to curb electricity will make our atmosphere cleaner. In most cases, an appliance is still using power even if it’s “turned off,” most electrical items must be unplugged for them to not use power. This will also save you money on electricity bills. Electric tumble dryers are among the most energy-consuming appliances in a modern household, so any opportunity to hang-dry should be taken. Also, some people have the advantage of signing up for clean, renewable energy (hydro, wind, etc.), but those who don’t often have the opportunity to buy carbon credits which encourages more clean energy-use and funds governmental research to further cleaner energy.

Lowering the central temperature 5-10 degrees F is also an excellent way of offsetting your carbon footprint. Lowering your thermostat only five degrees eight hours every can reduce the heating bill by 5%. According to Energy Ideas Clearinghouse, “every degree a temperature setting is increased in winter adds about 3 percent to the average home heating bill while every degree cooler a temperature setting is decreased in summer adds about 4 percent to the average home air-conditioning bill.” Installing a programmable thermostat is the best way to control the temperature if nobody’s home.

Some other quick tips for offsetting your carbon footprint include:

• Invest in energy saving light bulbs.
• Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls.
• Install insulation in your walls; 35% of energy can be saved by insulation.
• Replace your refrigerator if it is more than 15 years old.
• Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler.

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