Everyone has a part to play in reducing our carbon footprints not only for our generation but for the sake of future generations. What is Carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhou- se gas emissions that come from the production, use and end-of-life of a product or service. It includes carbon dioxide, the gas most commonly emitted by humans, and others, including methane, nitrous oxi- de, and fluorinated gases, which trap heat in the at- mosphere, causing global warming. Usually, the bulk of an individual’s carbon footprint will come from transportation, housing and food (source: New York Times). Want to know more about Climate Change? It’s complex but the New York Times has written a great article that can answer to some of your questions HERE
How can you play your part? 1. Vote for local Councillors who support public transport and will make streets safer for people, not cars. 2. Vote for political parties who don’t waste money supporting airlines and don’t encourage oil companies. 3. Buy less stuff. Buy secondhand when you can. See something you fancy? Walk away and promise yourself that you’ll buy it tomorrow. You’ll probably forget all about it by the time you’ve got home. 4. Use up food leftovers and plan what to buy so that you never need to throw food away. 5. Eat more plant-based meals – cut down on meat and cheese. 6. Give up your car. Walk, cycle, use public transport. use taxis when you have heavy shopping, share lifts, help each other and hire a car if you really need to drive. You’ll be healthier and you’ll save a lot of money. 7. Don’t fly if you can avoid it and never more than once a year. Use the train in the UK and Europe. 8. Switch off everything electrical when you aren’t using it. 9. Turn your thermostat down to 19 degrees, or 20 if you’re cold, and put on woolly and warm slippers. 10. Buy thick curtains from the charity shops to keep out the cold. Stuff old tights with old jumpers and use them to stop draughts coming under the door. 11. Dry clothes on the balcony or in the bathroom, not in the tumble dryer except in emergencies. For more information please see www.winacc.org.uk/take-action/lower-your-carbon- -footprint
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