Reducing Your Carbon Footprint, at Home & Work

Magnolia Potter - Contributing Writer

Posted on Tuesday 9th June 2020
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The average household produces 7.5 tons of CO2 emission equivalents each year. Businesses across multiple industries produce thousands more. As you might expect, there are potential risks and serious problems that continue to grow for the planet as a result of our large, carbon footprints in homes and workplaces. 

 

There are many effects of having a large carbon footprint: 

 

  • Deforestation

  • Climate change

  • Depletion of natural resources

 

If you’ve turned on the news recently, you’ve probably heard about at least one of these topics, or about the importance of sustainability. While most people understand how important it is to take care of the planet and reduce their carbon footprint, not everyone knows exactly how to do that. 

 

So what can you do, both at work and at home, to reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the planet? 

Going Green With Your Business

Many businesses have taken sustainable initiatives to “do better” and to reduce their carbon footprint across the globe. Unfortunately, however, there are still far too many that haven’t made the necessary changes to lower carbon emissions and to make more sustainable choices. Whether you own your own business or you’re an employee, there are things you can do to tap into the greener side of the working world. 

 

Being a sustainable business means paying attention to the “three P’s”: Profits, people, and the planet. Businesses need to be concerned with more than just their bottom line. In showing an effort to be more sustainable, your business can appeal to a wider audience and create a brighter future for the next generation of owners, investors, and customers alike. Americans believe businesses have a responsibility to take action against things like climate change, and 63% of Americans believe that businesses should drive social and environmental change, especially when the government doesn’t step in and take action to make those changes. 

 

Whether you work for a small business or a large corporation, the basis of positive environmental changes remains the same, and you can start small even without getting anyone else on board. Some changes you can make at the office include the following: 

 

  • Avoiding printing

  • Using a laptop instead of a desktop for less energy usage

  • Eating mindfully on your lunch break

  • Using public transportation to/from work

  • Composting coffee grounds from the break room

 

Additionally, talk to your employer about implementing bigger changes at work. Switching traditional, fluorescent lights to LED lights, for instance, can make a difference. LED bulbs can last for up to 10 years while running 24-hours a day, reducing the need to replace them so frequently. Plus, they use less energy than traditional bulbs. Other office-wide actions to put into place can include everything from starting an in-office recycling program to setting up a fund to offset carbon emissions when you travel for work. 

Making Changes at Home

You’ve probably heard the saying that change starts at home. That rings true when you’re trying to make positive, environmental changes too. 

 

At home, one of the most effective changes you can make is switching to more energy-efficient appliances. That includes everything from your refrigerator and oven to your source of heat. Making the switch to a geothermal heat pump, for example, is a great way to rely on a renewable source of power rather than relying on nonrenewable fossil fuels. 

 

If you’re moving somewhere new, whether it’s for work or simply for a change of scenery, you can make the commitment to decrease your environmental impact as you do so. Before you move, donate or sell items you don’t need/want anymore rather than throwing them out. Pack your belongings with eco-friendly materials rather than plastic or packing peanuts that are not biodegradable. Choose a moving company with a dedication to sustainability for your own green initiatives to come full circle back to the business world. 

 

Many of the changes you make in an office setting can be implemented at home, too, and you have the added luxury of being in more control of the choices you make. 

Investing in the Future — In More Ways Than One

It’s not too late to make changes now that can have a positive impact on the future of the planet. From a business standpoint, investing in a greener future can actually bring some green to your wallet, too. For example, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly popular, causing more businesses (and even countries) to invest in them. China plans to invest at least $360 billion toward renewable energy, and other countries, like Iceland, are already largely depending on it to power their needs. Even the U.S. is doing its part to make renewable energy more important, funding projects across the country that are dedicated to renewable energy sources in different communities. 

 

Making environmentally-positive changes at home can save you money, too. Taking shorter showers or using less electricity can help to reduce your utility bills. Working with local farmers to buy meat, produce, and dairy products can cut down on your grocery bills. Driving your car less often will reduce your need to fill up your tank so frequently. 

 

Now is the time to take action to reduce your carbon footprint in every aspect of your life. In doing so, you’re committing yourself to the future of the planet, our children, and your own life and well-being. As you can see, making changes at work and at home doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep in mind that small changes can have a big impact when many people are on board.

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