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Data from the Union for Concerned Scientists indicates the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased ever since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Today, the need to burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, produce fuel used to heat homes and for processing oil into gas for transportation are all major contributors to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
Understanding your household carbon footprint
Each American has a carbon footprint of about 20 tons, the rough equivalent of what three brand new cars emit each year. The estimated population of the United States is roughly 300 million people—the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by this group is around 12 trillion tons.
If carbon emissions continue at that rate, it will be impossible to slow the rate of climate change, let alone contain it. In most households, the major carbon footprint generators are heating and cooling systems and every appliance that uses electricity, which generates the production of fossil fuels.
Conserve energy on heating and electricity
Be eco-conscious about home furnishings and design
When you furnish your home, look for furniture that is made from reclaimed wood or eco-friendly bamboo. Choose fabrics that are made from organically grown natural fibers. Make your home look more warm and inviting by choosing eco-friendly wooden blinds, and thermal-insulating curtains or drapes. Reduce your carbon foot print by lowering your utility bills and buying things for your home that come from recycled or sustainable sources.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Unless you have to remove a huge amount of snow after a massive snow storm, avoid using a snow blower because it uses a lot of gas, not to mention the emissions it discharges into the air. Use a shovel on smaller amounts of snow.
Make a point of buying used winter coats, or purchasing sweaters, hats, mittens and gloves that are made from sustainable materials. Instead of disposing of paper, plastic and other materials, recycle them. Compost kitchen scraps, paper and cardboard for organic gardening in spring and summer.
Install a filtration system for your drinking water so you don’t feel tempted to buy bottled water, since it is probably purified the exact same way as the water you are purifying from your faucets.
The post Simple Ways to Reduce Your Household Carbon Footprint this Winter appeared first on Global Warming is Real.