Nowadays more and more consumers are concerned with the environmental impact of their habits. After all, Mother Earth isn’t going to be around forever!
Reducing one’s carbon footprint is one way to go about this. Put simply, your carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted as a result of your daily activities. Think about your daily routine. Do you drive, walk or bike to work? That seemingly mundane decision affects the environment. That’s because driving burns fossil fuels, which provide the energy needed to power your lifestyle.
If you drive a lot, you’re not alone. The U.S. came in second to China in generating the most carbon dioxide emissions in the world in 2008! That’s a lot of drive time. Think of what you could do for the planet if you cut your driving by half!
Driving less is one solution, but there are many other ways to do your part. Here are a few ideas:
Buy locally sourced food: When you buy blueberries transported from the other side of the country, you’re contributing to the problem. And if you buy produce in the off season, that adds to the problem because supermarkets have to import the items from across country or the world. Those strawberries from Mexico aren’t cheap! Also, know that certain foods are more taxing on the environment than others. Switch to an entirely vegetarian diet and your footprint decreases significantly.
Watch your energy consumption: Your home can be an energy hog. Purchasing high-efficiency Energy Star appliances, unplugging electronics when they’re not in use, heating and cooling your home efficiently, using Energy Star-approved lightbulbs and using hot 
water efficiently are all ways to cut back. Every little bit helps!
Recycle: Does your city or town participate in a recycling program? What about your workplace? It doesn’t take any extra time to recycle and items, and you’ll help cut down on landfill waste.
Are you ready to make a change today?