You can reduce the amount of CO2 in your environment by making some changes. These may include becoming politically active, eating low on the food chain, and planting trees. It’s important to remember that it takes time to change your habits.
Eating low on the food chain
Eating low on the food chain may sound like a cliche but it is actually quite a viable option. It is estimated that 17 percent of the foods you buy go straight into the bin. Food waste accounts for a whopping 8 percent of the global carbon footprint. A well formulated diet that includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables should do the trick.
The top rung of the food chain is occupied by animals. In fact, commercial meat farming provides 18 percent of the world’s calories. The average cow consumes six times more protein than it produces. That’s a lot of CO2. The biggest problem is that it consumes much of the planet’s agricultural land. So, if we are to turn the tide on climate change, we have to get serious about a whole lot more than just eating fewer animals.
Fortunately, we don’t have to sacrifice quality of life to do so. One way to do this is to reduce the amount of food that goes into our landfills. Another option is to buy organic food. Organic food does not use synthetic fertilisers. This is a big deal since nitrogen based fertilisers release N2O, a potent greenhouse gas. While reducing the amount of dairy in your diet will not be the same as going cold turkey, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
For the most part, there is no single best approach to adopting a more eco-conscious attitude. It’s a challenge to figure out the right mix of foods to consume. The trick is to find out what works for you, your wallet and your environment. To do this, you may want to consider making your own foods from scratch or purchasing in bulk. Luckily, a combination of enticing foods and solid education should help you make the right choices.
Planting trees
Planting trees is a way to reduce CO2. There are several benefits of doing so, such as preventing erosion and improving soil quality. The root system of trees also works as a natural filter. This helps keep rivers clear of pollutants. It is also an inexpensive and effective method for combating climate change.
One of the biggest carbon sinks on earth is the forests. When mature, they can store as much as 752 billion tonnes of carbon. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. In turn, the roots of trees bring nutrients to the surface.
Trees also help prevent desertification. Desertification happens when the quality of the soil is degraded. Soils are prone to erosion when the amount of rainfall is reduced.
A study conducted by Thomas Crowther of ETH-Zurich in Switzerland found that if we plant enough trees, we will be able to slow down climate change. However, the study had many flaws.
In May 2020, the team behind the study published an extensive correction, stating that the headline claims were incorrect. They also admitted that the data referred to in the study were inaccurate.
Other scientists have argued that Crowther’s research is flawed. Nadine Unger, a professor at the University of Exeter, argues that the mutual relationship between forests and the climate is complex.
Sassan Saatchi, a senior scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, believes that planting trees could be a viable way to address climate change. But he warns that there are many factors to consider.
Some trees, such as fir, are better at absorbing carbon than others. However, mono-culture forests are not reliable carbon sinks. Instead, it is best to plant a variety of trees.
One of the most prominent trees that can absorb carbon is the oak. It has dense wood and a long life. Oaks also have a large canopy, which helps to trap heat.
Another popular tree species is the common horse chestnut. These trees can be planted in grasslands, but it is important to plant them in areas where they will not disrupt the carbon sinks.
Calculating your carbon footprint
The carbon footprint is a measurement of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an entity, on an annual basis. It is used to determine the best strategic approach to reduce emissions. In order to calculate a company’s carbon footprint, the first step is to collect data on the organization’s business operations.
This information includes how much greenhouse gas (GHG) is released per unit of energy consumed. Various factors contribute to the carbon footprint, including lifestyle choices and travel.
There are several carbon calculators available. They can be easily plugged into simple equations to give an estimate of the carbon footprint. Using an internationally recognized standard is one way to do this.
A carbon calculator will ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle and workplace. It will also take into account your travel habits and waste production. Depending on the type of carbon calculator you use, you may also be asked about your diet and home energy use.
Carbon footprints can be calculated based on the Higg Index method. It’s a good idea to consider how the materials in your life are produced and used. Some of the major contributors to global warming are deforestation and transportation.
A household with a 25 mpg car drives 6,000 miles a year. For each mile it travels, it emits 37,185 pounds of CO2. Approximately 58% of the carbon footprint comes from home energy usage.
Typical family homes emit up to 80 tons of CO2e. These are direct and indirect emissions, depending on the size of the home and the materials used in its construction.
Fortunately, many studies have been performed to provide a general understanding of how much carbon is emitted by individuals and companies. To estimate your own carbon footprint, you can either plug your own data into a carbon footprint spreadsheet or use one of the numerous Web sites that offer user-friendly worksheets.
Many companies are starting to measure and calculate their carbon footprints. In many cases, they hire consultants to do this. However, small businesses can use a few free online tools to do this.
As the climate crisis grows, all stakeholders want to see real efforts to minimize the negative effects of global warming. With carbon calculators, companies can identify the best strategic approach to reducing emissions and set robust targets.
