How To Reduce Carbon Footprint

In order to understand the full impact of global warming on the planet, we need to know what causes global warming. The main reason for global warming is the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a gas that is emitted by most industries due to the burning of fossil fuels. Because of industrialization, there has been tremendous economic progress and growth, but the environment has had to suffer as a result. In relation to global warming the term carbon footprint has become very common.

Carbon footprint is the emission of greenhouse gases caused by any activity, industry, product or even a person. Each and every individual in the world has a carbon footprint and we owe it to the planet to do everything in our power to reduce it.

There are two kinds of carbon footprints- primary and secondary. Primary carbon footprint is when there is direct emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels. Secondary carbon footprint is due to consumerism and buying more things than we actually need. Most industries especially the mining industry and the iron and steel industry burn fossil fuels on a large scale and are responsible for a huge amount of carbon emissions.

You may have a liking for expensive, exotic fruits but do you know the carbon footprint you’re leaving behind. Fruits that are unavailable locally have to be shipped from across the world. In this process, fuel is burned and carbon dioxide is released into the air. When you consume such fruits and other food, it is counted as your individual carbon footprint. One way to reduce it is by eating and drinking local food and drinks. By eating local, you are not only helping the economy, you are also reducing carbon emissions and doing your bit for the environment. Traveling less is also a way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Carbon pricing is a method adopted by various countries to reduce the carbon emissions in the atmosphere and hence reduce the damage global warming has caused to the planet. It is basically a way to put a price on carbon through the issue of subsidies, carbon tax etc. by putting a price on carbon and therefore on carbon emissions governments and environmental organizations hope to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

At the same time, so as not to hamper the economic growth and industrialization, they are looking to draw the attention of industrialists towards alternate sources of energy and power like solar energy, windmill power etc. carbon pricing as a scheme needs a lot of careful thinking and planning before it is implemented. Hence, be frugal in terms of energy, power and fuels and we just might redeem the world from the impact of global warming.