Global Warming is an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface due to the effects of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions due to burning fossil oil or deforestation, so that the heat that should be released from the Earth is trapped. Fortunately, there are efforts every Earthling can take to reduce the effects of global warming, and it's never too late or too soon for children or young people to take part.
Step
Part 1 of 6: Understanding the Carbon Footprint
Step 1. Learn what a carbon footprint is
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon and greenhouse gases that you use as you go about your life and carry out your normal day-to-day activities. In other words, your carbon footprint is a calculation made of the environmental impact of your lifestyle. If you want to live an environmentally friendly life and don't contribute to global warming, you must strive to have the smallest carbon footprint.
- The goal to be achieved is to have a neutral or zero carbon footprint.
- Of all greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide accounts for about 26 percent. That's what drives people to try to reduce their carbon footprint.
Step 2. Learn what makes your carbon footprint higher
Almost everything we do and contribute to global warming is related to the use of fossil fuels. This could mean direct use of fossil fuels, such as driving a car that runs on gasoline, or indirectly contributing to greenhouse gases, such as consuming fruit or vegetables that have to be shipped from far away to reach your dinner table.
The largest contributors to our carbon footprint usually come from the indirect use of coal, natural gas and fuels, including: meat consumption, electricity consumption, personal travel (such as driving and flying), commercial transportation (such as trucks, boats and aircraft), and the use of plastic
Step 3. Determine how big your carbon footprint is
Since greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, knowing your carbon footprint can determine how much your lifestyle contributes to global warming and climate change. Use one of the available calculators to determine how much impact your lifestyle has on the environment.
Part 2 of 6: Reducing Direct Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Step 1. Choose an alternative mode of transportation
There are currently 8.3 million cars in Indonesia. So, you can imagine how high the level of pollution is. Choose alternative methods of traveling if you want to lower your carbon footprint and reduce your contribution to global warming. Instead of driving a car or taking a ride to the park, school, or a friend's house, or anywhere else, try other ways such as:
- Walk or jog.
- Cycling or using a skateboard.
- Using rollerblades.
Step 2. Use public transportation
Although trains and buses often run on gasoline, they produce less pollution and consume less fuel than all the private vehicles they replace. Next time, if you want to travel and the distance is too far to walk or bike, take the bus or other public transportation instead of asking for a car transfer.
Step 3. Create a carpool system (group rides together)
Children who live far enough away that they cannot walk and there is no bus service that passes through their area can arrange carpooling with the parents of friends who go to the same school. Instead of four parents driving to school to drop off their children, they can take turns each day or week picking up and dropping off all the children. That way, the number of cars on the road is reduced by three.
Suggest using the carpool system with friends for other activities, such as practice and sporting events, lessons, and social activities
Step 4. Talk to your parents about using hybrid or electric cars
Driving a car that doesn't run on gasoline or diesel can drastically reduce your carbon footprint because it will reduce gasoline use and emissions, as well as reduce emissions generated by the production, processing and distribution of gasoline.
- Hybrid and electric cars are usually more expensive than traditional gasoline cars. So, this choice may be difficult for many families to realize.
- Be aware that if the electricity you use is generated from fossil fuels, driving a car charged with this kind of electricity may not reduce your carbon footprint.
Part 3 of 6: Save Energy and Water
Step 1. Turn off the light
When you leave the room and no one else is in the room, turn off the lights. This also applies to electronic equipment, such as televisions, radios, computers, and other devices.
Step 2. Unplug the power cord
When you leave the house to go to school, unplug any electrical appliances that you won't be using all day. Many appliances still consume electricity even when they are not turned on. The equipment includes:
- O'clock.
- Television and radio.
- Computer.
- Cell phone charger.
- Microwave and other appliances equipped with a clock.
Step 3. Turn off the faucet
When you brush your teeth, soap your hands in the sink, wash dishes in the sink and when you wash your body in the bathroom, turn off the tap. In addition, save on the use of hot water when bathing or washing dishes because it takes a lot of electricity to heat water.
Step 4. Close the doors and windows
When the air conditioner in your home is on due to the heat, make sure you close all the doors behind you, and don't leave the windows open. Cold air can escape quickly, and air conditioners have to work harder and use more energy to maintain a consistent temperature.
Step 5. Use blinds and blinds
When it rains and the air is cold, close the blinds or curtains so that the house feels warmer. When the sun is shining and the air is very hot, open the blinds or curtains so the wind can enter and make the house feel cooler.
Step 6. Engage in activities that do not require electricity
Most of the electricity generated in Indonesia still uses fossil fuels. So, by saving on electricity usage, you can reduce your carbon footprint. Instead of watching television, using the computer to play games, or playing video games, try:
- Read.
- Play outdoors.
- Play board games.
- Spending time with friends in person.
Step 7. Take an eco-friendly approach to household tasks
There are many positive, environmentally beneficial ways to do household chores such as changing work times, running the dishwasher or washing machine only when it's full, washing in cold water, and hanging or hanging clothes to dry instead of using a tumble dryer.
Ask other family members to practice the same
Part 4 of 6: Reducing Carbon Footprint
Step 1. Plant a tree
Mature trees absorb about 21.5 kg of carbon dioxide each day. Trees convert this carbon dioxide into the oxygen we use to breathe. In addition, trees planted around the house create shade and windbreaks so that the air becomes cooler and reduces the use of air conditioning.
Planting trees with dense leaves will provide shade in hot weather, and produce more oxygen, the flowers will spread their fragrance and the fruit produced is edible. In addition, tree roots can also hold ground water
Step 2. Plant your garden
The further food has to go to get to your table, the bigger the carbon footprint it creates. Although vegetables rank lower than meat and dairy in terms of greenhouse gases, they must be brought to market to be sold, and for that they require fossil fuels. By growing vegetables in your own garden, you can reduce the contribution of greenhouse gases and increase the number of plants on Earth that can consume carbon dioxide.
Step 3. Reduce (Reduce), reuse (Reuse), and recycle (Recycle) or 3R
You must have heard this 3R slogan, but may not have realized that it can significantly reduce your carbon footprint! Recycling is an energy-intensive process, but it's still better than producing a container from scratch. Reusing is even better because it reduces waste, reduces the energy needed to recycle, and reduces your energy consumption.
- Get into the habit of reusing by turning old containers, clothes, and household items into something else. For example, collect used cans and make them a place to put bottles as gifts for parents.
- Recycle cans, bottles, jars, tetra packs, containers, and other items normally accepted by your local recycling center.
- Reuse and refill items such as ink cartridges and pens.
- Instead of buying a new bottle of soap every time, try buying a refill pack.
- Shop at thrift stores instead of buying new clothes and household appliances.
Step 4. Make compost
The amount of energy and fuel required to transport organic waste to a landfill (if your community doesn't have composting facilities) will contribute to your carbon footprint. In addition, organic waste is not properly broken down in such an environment. So, you should process it yourself into compost. That way, you not only reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, but also create homemade soil to plant and fertilize your garden.
Part 5 of 6: Becoming a Conscious Consumer
Step 1. Reduce paper usage
Paper products contribute to global warming because the paper production process requires fossil fuels, and the trees that used to capture carbon dioxide are no longer there due to logging. You can reduce paper usage by making some simple changes, such as:
- Don't print unnecessary emails.
- Use the library or read e-books instead of buying printed books.
- Ask for an e-bill and tell the store not to print out receipts for you.
- Ask parents to buy recycled paper products, such as facial tissue, toilet paper, and writing and printing paper.
- Scan a book instead of photocopying it.
- Send electronic greeting cards instead of paper cards.
Step 2. Don't buy bottled water
Bring a refillable drinking bottle so you don't have to buy bottled water. Unfortunately, consumers like the practicality and convenience of a product like this, even though it takes three liters of water to produce one liter of bottled water, and millions of barrels of fuel to produce the bottles, caps, and packaging needed to meet the needs of consumers in Indonesia alone.
If your parents buy bottled water, ask them not to do it again. Even if they don't want to, you can choose to use a glass or metal bottle that can be refilled with filtered water
Step 3. Avoid products that use excessive packaging
Most packaging is made for purposes related to advertising and gimmicks rather than product preservation or consumer safety. Since most packaging is made of plastic, its manufacture requires fossil fuels, and most of it cannot be recycled. By refusing to buy over-packaged products, you will reduce your carbon footprint and send a message to manufacturers that their methods are unacceptable.
Part 6 of 6: Encouraging Friends and Family to Take Action
Step 1. Invite the family to help
Sometimes, you can't do everything alone without the help of loved ones. Ask your parents to help you make a difference by implementing some new policies and habits for the family.
- Ask parents to lower the temperature of the air conditioner so the equipment doesn't have to work as hard.
- Explain to parents about CFL lamps (compact fluorescent lamps) which can save 70 percent of electricity compared to incandescent lamps. That way, it will save money too.
- Remind parents to use reusable mugs when ordering coffee to take away.
Step 2. Visit the farmers market
Most cities and towns have farmers markets, and going to markets like these with friends and family can be a great way to support local communities, teaching everyone the importance of shopping locally (thus reducing the greenhouse gases used to transport food to their homes). your dining table), and get fresh and delicious ingredients for your meals.
Remember to bring a reusable shopping bag for shopping at the farmer's market or convenience store
Step 3. Choose fresh vegetables and fruits that are sold individually
Plastic is often used to wrap fruit, vegetables, and processed foods, and the production of plastic requires fuel oil. It may take some getting used to, but it's not impossible to leave the convenience store without overpacking. Remember that cooking can take up a lot of time. Therefore, offer to help parents prepare meals that use fresh ingredients. With your help they can save time, give you the opportunity to learn to cook, and encourage parents to buy fresh groceries more often.
- If possible, buy groceries in bulk rather than prepackaged, such as rice, flour, pasta, and spices.
- Buy products that are sold individually, such as whole grains, rather than fruit or vegetables that have been packaged in plastic bags.
Step 4. Ask parents to serve vegetarian or vegan meals more often
Meat and dairy products account for about 18 percent of global emissions, and removing them from your diet could cut your food-related carbon footprint by half. Encouraging parents to eat less meat and dairy is a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint.
