7 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Climate change is one of the big issues of our age as global carbon emission levels continue to climb. And while drastic action is needed at an international and governent level to address it, we mustn’t forget the small changes that can help you do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint. And they might just save you some money too!

Say hello to a greener, cleaner tomorrow. Here’s 7 easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint that you can start today! From your home to your daily habits, these simple tips will guide you towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Buy Recycled Clothing

Focus on the detrimental environmental impact of fast fashion is finally taking hold. The energy and water it takes to produce clothing, and the impact it has when it invaribaly gets sent to landfill - often a shockingly short amount of time after it was made - contributes greatly to our carbon footprints. The global fashion industry produces up to 8% of global carbon emissions. There are some fantastic books on the topic if you’d like to know more (Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion is a GoGet fave).

By visiting op shops, swapping with your friends or buying from eco-conscious labels that use recycled materials, you can help to reduce your impact. Hot tip: vintage is cool again, take advantage!

2. Switch off Electricity When You Don’t Need It

This one goes for both your home and the office. The electricity sector is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gases in Australia with 33% of our total emissions coming from the use of electricity according to studies conducted by the Climate Council. Simply reducing your use of electricity by turning appliances off at the power point and making sure lights are switched off when you’re not in the room can reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention your energy bill! Even when they're turned off, appliances can still use energy. So, unplug them when you're not using them to save energy.

Another is heating and cooling, two things that take a fair chunk of electricity. Rather than going to the reverse cycle as your first option, try putting on a jacket or opening some windows first. If you do need to use your heating or cooling, set your air conditioner to 25 to 27°C for cooling in summer and your heater to 18 to 20°C for warming in winter.

3. Take Shorter Showers 

We’d all love to be able to spend half an hour a day under the hot stream of water coming from our shower heads but our indulgent habits are costing the planet. Water use is one important aspect, with Australia frequently experiencing periods of drought. Not only that, heating that water for your steaming shower takes an incredible amount of energy. Sticking to a couple of minutes in the shower each day is a simple practice that will add up big-time over the course of a year and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint. Your wallet will also thank you.

4. Use Alternate Modes Of Transport Instead Of Your Car

The transport sector is a leading contributor of greenhouse emissions around the world thanks to the burning of fossil fuels required to facilitate air, sea and land travel. While the transport industry operates on a major global scale, we can have a significant impact as individuals by ditching our cars and switching to more environmentally friendly modes of transport. These include taking public transport, walking or riding a bike. You can also take advantage of car sharing services like GoGet that allow you to hire a car or van by the hour or day instead of owning one.

5. Contribute To Carbon Offset Schemes When You Travel By Air

Australian aviation is a major contributor to emissions. To remedy that, most major airlines, and even some of the smaller ones, give you the option to offset your carbon emissions by paying a small fee when you book your ticket. This money goes toward a variety of initiatives that includes things like restoring rainforests, developing renewable energy sources or reinvesting to improve the energy efficiency of flights.

Schemes with Australian airlines Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar are all directed to the Fly Carbon Neutral program. It’s verified by the government and the airlines don’t take a cut or admin fee.

6. Reduce Your Consumption Of Meat 

Direct livestock emissions account for around 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions with methane and nitrous oxide produced by livestock two of the most significant greenhouse gases affecting our planet. This doesn’t even take into consideration the amount of energy and water it takes to raise livestock.  While Australian agriculture practices are getting smarter, we can do our bit on a smaller scale by reducing the amount of meat we buy. Plant-based meals have a smaller carbon footprint than meat-centric ones and are often cheaper too! Plus, it's an opportunity to try delicious new recipes!

7. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Make this your mantra! Essentially this boils down to reducing the amount of stuff you buy, reusing things as much as possible and trying to repair them when they break, and recycling everything you possibly can. Minimize waste by avoiding single-use items and choosing durable products.