There is no doubt about the reality of climate change anymore - the Earth is warming, and humans are responsible. Fortunately, on an individual level, people are more concerned than ever about learning how to reduce their carbon footprint. Science has identified numerous ways to allow individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are three such examples.
Eat Less Meat
Meat is a surprising source of carbon emissions, according to available research, meat-eating and related agricultural processes lead to between 13–18 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that humans are responsible for. In other words, eating less meat can dramatically cut down on the carbon emissions which are currently causing the Earth's atmosphere to heat up. This is not easy, to be sure. However, advances in science and agriculture seem to be creating more plant-based meat that tastes like actual meat. In the future, it is possible that artificial processes will lead directly to better tasting meat substitutes.
Reduce Car Use
Broadly speaking, cars are a huge contributor to pollution in urban areas. You should cut your car usage as much as you can, bike more, carpool, etc. You can also buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, like an economy car. An economy car has great environmental benefits if you must own a car for work or travel. Mass transit is often a great alternative to using cars. They are more efficient from a carbon perspective, as they expend the same amount of fuel almost regardless of how many people fly in them. While eliminating all motorized transportation sources is impossible, increased reliance on mass transit is a great way of reducing carbon footprints.
Cut Down on Single-Use Plastic
Single-use plastic is bad for the environment in a variety of ways, including health challenges with manufacturing plastic and the way it is clogging up sewer systems and waterways. However, one of single-use plastics' biggest problems is its carbon footprint. It is massive since plastic is made largely from carbon fuels. Thankfully, a variety of replacement sources to single-use plastic exist, such as silicone straws and reusable grocery bags. Many governments are beginning to ban single-use plastic or tax it heavier in an effort to reduce its use and change the behavior of humans.
All of us have a responsibility to do whatever we can in order to cut down on the sources of carbon on the planet. Unfortunately, available research indicates that the planet is warming, and this will have devastating consequences on the planet's ability to sustain life. As such, we all have an obligation to reduce our individual carbon footprints, and the specific changes in behavior noted in this article can do just that.
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