Every time you drive, buy food that isn't grown in your local garden or farm, or leave your house lights on when you're outside, you're increasing carbon emissions in the air. These carbon emissions come from activities that emit gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases, which are also known as green house gases, are changing the environment for the worse due to climate change.
Reducing carbon emissions sounds like a daunting task, but remember that if you do this, you are protecting your own environment. We can help you reduce carbon emissions more easily. Read the guide below.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Improving Energy Efficiency At Home
Step 1. Replace your light bulbs with incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs can save more than 2/3 of energy compared to ordinary light bulbs. You can reduce carbon emissions in your home by replacing light bulbs with more energy efficient ones. However, you should also remember that incandescent light bulbs also contain mercury. So, before buying an incandescent light bulb, look for one that contains the least amount of mercury.
Step 2. Make your home weatherproof
Another way to save energy is to minimize the amount of air coming out of your home. make sure that the walls of your house are tightly closed. You could also consider glazing your windows which, while expensive, will save you money in the long run when you want to warm or cool your home.
You should also apply glass glue around your window and door frames. This will help shut off airflow so your home's temperature control system will be more energy efficient
Step 3. Buy and use electronics wisely
This means buying electronics that have a good energy use rate and making sure that you unplug any electronics that are not being used. Look for the "Energy Star" or "Energy Save Label" label on the electronics you're looking for. The Energy Star label is a certification given to electronic equipment companies by the United States government, while the "Energy Savings Label" is a label with the same function given by the Indonesian government. Both indicate that the electronic equipment you buy is very efficient in using energy. But no matter how efficient your electronic device is, it's a good idea to keep unplugging the device when it's not in use.
If you are lazy or often forget to unplug your electronics, buy a cable slot that has a switch, so you only need to press the switch to stop the electric current in the cable slot
Step 4. Consider alternative energy sources
Solar or solar, water, or wind power are excellent alternative energy sources. Some utility companies will give you the option of using green energy through solar or wind power. If you can and have the resources, build your own solar panels or wind turbine.
Step 5. Dry the clothes outside
Instead of using the tumble dryer after every wash, dry the clothes you wash outside. There are many efficient and space-saving hangers out there that you can buy.
Part 2 of 5: Changing Eating Habits
Step 1. Buy local products
One of the contributors to carbon dioxide gas emissions is the food industry. If you want to reduce carbon emissions, buy products that don't have to be transported far away. Buy local products that are grown in your area, because apart from being fresher, these products don't need to be brought all the way to the market or where you bought them.
You should also consider buying seasonal products only in season. If you're craving mangoes when they're not in season, imagine the fact that the mangoes you want may have to be imported from other countries. Instead of that, it's better to look for food that is in season at that time
Step 2. Create your own garden
If there is a place to grow vegetables and a food source that is closer than a local garden or rice field, then it is your own home. If you have the time and space, try growing vegetables or foods that you definitely eat. If you really like eating potatoes, grow potatoes. Besides being more efficient, you can also sell it if the harvest you produce is excessive.
Step 3. Don't eat too much red meat
You should avoid consuming meat that is shipped from very far away. Believe it or not, the world's livestock is the cause of 18 percent of carbon emissions. Specifically, methane gas is a big problem when it comes to raising livestock. This does not mean you have to stop eating beef, but eat it only on certain occasions. When you buy beef, make sure you know it's been raised properly, as that means it produces less gas and is tastier when the meat is eaten.
Step 4. Buy food with minimal packaging
This will help you reduce the amount of waste, especially plastic waste, that you will have to dispose of later. If you can buy groceries that don't have packaging, buy them and carry them with you in a cloth shopping bag that you always carry with you and can use over time.
Part 3 of 5: Energy-Efficient Travel
Step 1. Use more environmentally friendly transportation
Use public transportation or don't use a car if you are alone. Or you might be able to ride a bike or walk if your destination is close to home, which in addition to saving energy, can also make you healthier.
Step 2. Reduce carbon emissions while driving
You may not know this, but some of your driving habits can affect the amount of CO2 emitted from your car. Accelerating gently and slowly, maintaining a steady speed while driving, and anticipating when to brake and hit the gas pedal will help you reduce gas emissions from your car.
If you drive a lot, buy an eco-friendly car. Cars such as the Toyota Prius C, Chevrolet Spark, Buick Encore, or LCGC cars made in Indonesia are environmentally friendly car choices
Step 3. Service your car regularly
Replace the fuel, air, and oil filters on your car when it's time to replace them. When your car works efficiently, you are controlling the carbon emissions of your car.
To maximize the use of your gas, make sure your tires are in good condition and have enough air
Step 4. Take the train or bus if you can
If you are traveling long distances, and have time, take the train or bus. Airplanes emit a lot of CO2 emissions. You can reduce carbon emissions by using other means of long-distance transportation.
If you do have to get on a plane, look for one that doesn't require transit or changing planes. Apart from being energy efficient, it is also a more convenient way for your travel experience
Part 4 of 5: Recycling
Step 1. Purchase new items only when necessary
This applies to clothing, furniture, and much more. Buy new items only when you really need to. Each making a shirt or shipping a banana comb requires energy. When you are going to buy something new, buy local. Goods sent from far away certainly require a lot of energy to get to your place. As an illustration, for every 2.2 kg of goods shipped by air the distance from the west end to the east end of the United States will produce about 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. Consider looking for items at local markets or stores when you want to shop online.
Step 2. Reuse old items and furniture
Instead of throwing away used items and turning them into methane gas, it would be better if you recycle these items. Reupholster your old chair, or use your old clothes to make new things like accessories.
Step 3. Sort trash by type
Don't just throw trash away. Each waste requires different handling and recycling methods. Dispose of the same type of garbage in one trash can, and the other in another.
Step 4. Learn how to make compost
Leftovers can become nutrients for plants. Compost enriches soil content and cleans contaminated soil, and reduces the cost and labor required to purchase and use fertilizers, pesticides, and even water.
Step 5. Know how to make things like batteries
Used batteries are not trash that can be thrown away carelessly. Look for special places to dispose of items like this on the internet.
Step 6. Know how to dispose of other electronics
Unfortunately, old electronics can't just be thrown away. But you can look for a special disposal site on the internet or give it to a junk dealer or someone who can use the leftover components.
Part 5 of 5: Reducing Water Use
Step 1. Speed up the duration of the bath
Not only does it save water, showering faster also saves the energy required if you use a water heater. You should also use a shower that is much more economical than a bath tub.
If you have the money, you can even use a more water-efficient shower head. According to National Geographic, if you use a low-flow shower head, you use up 56 liters of water for a 10-minute shower
Step 2. Wash clothes in bulk or when they have accumulated
22 percent of water consumption at home comes from washing clothes. Use the washing machine only when you need to (if you have a lot of laundry). Also make sure you use it with the right settings. If you do have to use the washing machine even though you don't have a lot of laundry, at least set it to work according to the number of clothes you wash.
Step 3. Check for water leaks regularly
If it turns out that the water pipe in your house is leaking, it means that you have unknowingly wasted a lot of water. Perform routine maintenance on the water pipes in your home. Make sure there are no leaking pipes, and patch or repair any leaks if there are.
Step 4. Plant plants that can live in the climate you live in
Some plants can only grow in certain climates, and if you are adamant about growing plants that are difficult to live in the climate you live in, you may have to use a lot of water to maintain them. Therefore, plant plants that are suitable and can grow in the climate where you live, because apart from being more water efficient, you will not be too bothered to maintain them.
Step 5. Don't wash the car too often
Washing a standard-sized car usually consumes 567 liters of water, which is certainly a large amount. Reduce the use of this water by reducing your car wash schedule. In addition, wash your car at a more professional wash who knows how to wash effectively and efficiently and saves water.
Tips
- Calculate the level of gas emissions you produce through the site https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx. Just fill in the existing form, and see and record the results.
- There are many other small things you can do, such as reducing the use of plastic bags and using paper bags more when shopping. But remember, while not using plastic bags is great for the environment, it only reduces your carbon emissions slightly.
