Before going any further I wanted to set one thing straight, there is only so much you can do to “help the Earth”. Yes there are ways to conserve water or leave less waste, but that doesn’t change the fact that 71% of global emissions come from just 100 companies and corporations. This means that deciding not to buy red meat or to stop using straws is going to fix everything, but there are a few small things that we do have control over.

One way to decrease our ecological footprint is to use cleaner transportation methods. These include walking or biking if possible which cuts your fuel emissions completely. If the distance is too far to walk or bike, try carpooling with friends or taking public transportation. The type of car you drive can also play a part in this. Smaller engine cars have been shown to be more energy efficient than larger cars.

Implementing energy saving habits into your regular life will also cut down on our collective footprint. Keeping your thermostat down in the winter and the A/C off or used minimally in the warmer months will save energy and save you money. The recommended temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when your awake and lowering the temperature when your asleep. The Department of Energy recommends that when you leave for work you lower the temperature 10 to 15 degrees to conserve energy.

The final way to degrees your ecological footprint is to avoid using “vampire power”. Vampire power is the power your appliances use when they are plugged into an outlet but not on. This accounts for 5% to 15% of residential power use. This costs the average american household $100. You can fix this by unplugging appliances and technology or using a powerstrip with an on/off switch.

As you can see there is so much we can do in our daily lives and the examples mentioned in this article are just a few of the ways you can decrease your ecological footprint. If you aren’t in control of your transportation, thermostat, or what appliances are plugged into the outlet at your house, there are still other things you can do. You can limit unnecessary paper waste/use at school and at home. You can cut down shower time to conserve water or turn off lights when you leave a room. Furthermore, there are so many things you can do in your daily life to help make our Earth a healthier, safer, and more beautiful place.

Sources

Graffagna, Sasha. “15 Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint.” SuperheroYou, 12 Oct. 2017, superheroyou.com/15-ways-to-reduce-your-environmental-footprint/.

“Reduce Your Ecological Footprint | Climate Protection.” RESET.to, en.reset.org/act/reduce-your-ecological-footprint-0.

Riley, Tess. “Just 100 Companies Responsible for 71% of Global Emissions, Study Says.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 10 July 2017, www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/10/100-fossil-fuel-companies-investors-responsible-71-global-emissions-cdp-study-climate-change.