Carbon footprints

You have probably heard the title yet may not be quite sure about the exact meaning well, here is an overview and some tips and ideas that you can use to help make a difference to the environment.

Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

Minimise your carbon footprint

Today it is more important than ever before to minimise your footprint. Not only are the developed western countries producing more and more carbon emissions, but the population in Africa and Asia are also contributing to this increase through the changes in their societies.

What can you do?

Here is a simple list of ideas, which you can start doing immediately so that you will reduce your contribution to global warming. By following the list you are likely to make savings to your costs.

• Sign up to a green energy supplier, who will supply electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) - this will reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero
  
• Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, HiFi, computer etc.)
• Turn down the central heating slightly (Just 1 to 2 degrees C)
• Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
• Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work
• Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder
• Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
• Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging
• Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly
• Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
• Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
• Go for a run rather than drive to the gym

A few more ideas

Here are some more ideas although these may take an initial investment, they should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings on your energy bills.

• Fit energy saving light bulbs
• Install thermostatic valves on your radiators
• Insulate your hot water tank, your loft and your walls
• 35% of heat generated in the house is lost through the walls
  
   - Installing cavity wall installation to a medium size house should reduce your   heating bills by up to £100 per year
  - By installing 180mm thick loft insulation you could stop about 25% of your heating escaping through the roof
  
• Recycle your grey water
• Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A"
• Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient condensing boiler

Thinking about travelling?
Why not Travel less and travel more carbon footprint friendly.

• Car share to work, or for the kids school run
• Use the bus or a train rather than your car
• Don't use domestic flights (e.g. from London to Edinburgh), use a train or a coach.
• Take the ferry or channel tunnel instead of flying to France
• See if your employer will allow you to work from home one day a week
• Next time you replace your car - check out diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own Biodiesel fuel. 
• When on holiday - hire a bicycle to explore locally rather than a car
• When staying in a hotel turn the lights and air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room
• Ask for your room towels to be washed every other day, rather than every day

Purchase power

Secondary footprints are those that you make through your buying habits. If you buy foods out of season at the supermarket, then these will have either been flown or shipped in from far away - all adding to your carbon footprint.

• Buy local wine i.e. if you live in the UK then buy from European countries rather than Australia, South Africa, and America
• Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own
• Try to buy clothes and products from closer to home.

What about work? What can you do?

In addition there is your footprint at work. Do you leave your computer and monitor on when you are away from your desk? Do you leave the lights on when you leave the office? Do you print documents unnecessarily - and could you print two pages to a side and double sided?