Reduce your carbon footprint

Reducing your Carbon Footprint is the most important step you can take to help us live within the means of our planet.

Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases and others) that you produce as you live your life. To get a sense of your contribution, you can calculate your carbon footprint at Project Neutral.

There are many positive steps you can take toward lowering the impact in your everyday life. Here are some suggestions:
  • Drive less – when possible walk, cycle, carpool or take public transportation.
  • Fly less and when you do, book coach seats. You might consider purchasing a carbon offset. The David Suzuki Foundation has a comprehensive list of legitimate companies.
  • Eat less meat – opt for vegetarian meals, there are so many options these days.
  • Eat more local foods – reach out to your local farmers.
  • Reduce your energy use – turn down your thermostat by one or two degrees; unplug your electrical appliances when they are not in use; wash your clothes in cold water; hang clothes on a clothesline instead of using your dryer.
  • Embrace a minimalist lifestyle.
  • Minimize your purchase of new products – ask yourself if you really need it?
  • Buy less new clothing – head to your local second hand shop instead.
  • Reduce water use inside your home and garden – take shorter showers and use rain water barrels for your gardens.
  • Buy products with less packaging.
  • Plant a tree

Helpful websites

If you are interested in learning more, check out some of these useful sites.