Sustainable Living: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

What is sustainable living?

Sustainable living is defined as the pattern of your living, i.e. your lifestyle with defining how it is reducing the usage of natural resources by the human beings on Earth. Or, simply we can define sustainable living as the living pattern of us that shows reducing usage of natural resources so that our future generation can meet the requirements of these resources.

Carbon footprint definition and how it is related to carbon footprint:

Carbon footprint is been related to sustainable living which is defined as the total emission of harmful gases due to human activities. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), carbon footprint is defined as the emission of toxic gas carbon dioxide (CO2) which were directly or indirectly caused by human activities such as food, transportation, greenhouse, event, organization, services, places, burning of fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, reduction of natural resources, etc. that causes global warming.

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) emission define the ecological or carbon footprint which is harmful to the environment leads to climate change in a negative way and causes global warming. It reduces the natural resources then they cannot meet the requirements for future use, directly or indirectly through these activities, and that’s how carbon footprints are related to sustainable living.

Why sustainable living and carbon footprint reduction is important?

Sustainable living and reduction of carbon footprint are crucial for living beings so that they can live healthy life without demolishing natural resources.

Carbon footprint percentage and its measurement:

As per reports, India is contributing 3 percent of CO2 emissions, and the United States and the European Union contributes 25 % and 17 % simultaneously of carbon dioxide emissions from 1850 to 2019. In 2021, India’s total emissions has been fixed up at 2.7 billion tonnes which was about 7.5 percent, and in 2022, it goes up to 8 percent of that level.

A ‘bottom-up’ approach has been given to defining the measurement in which a country gives its total emission reports by combing the data of every type of activities occurs with the emission produced during that activity. Suppose, consider the transportation activity, we will count total fuel usage, count the ton-miles, and their emission, material production, manufacturing of that vehicle, its usage and end life, everything is considered, all over the country transport then find the average, that is how the carbon footprint is measured.  

Tips to reduce carbon footprint:

1. Recycle or reuse: we can recycle or reuse the products for other things such as plastic bottles, or plastic containers in which we have ordered food or something else can be reused by making flower pots, can be used as mugs for washing the house, cars, etc. Glasses also can recycle, first crush them, clean and then mix with sand and mold them into the shape you want. Many jars, cups, and bottles are prepared like this. There are many products that can be reused or recycled to reduce the consumption of extra resources which alternatively reduces carbon footprint.
2. Plant trees: plant some trees because they gave us almost everything that we need for living like fresh air, food, sandal, wood, paper/ cardboard, etc. As much as we grow plants, there will be more natural resources.
3. Eat plant-based meals: Avoid meat or other animal eating habits for wildlife protection which disturbs the food chain. Eating plant-based meals keeps people healthy. Plant-based eating people reduces the demand for food, reduces land cleaning, animals help in pollination, keep pesticides and other animals away that affect the crops, etc., that’s how they eliminate the burden on the environment and animal agriculture.  
4. Avoid plastics: avoid plastic or its products like plastic bottles, glasses, polythene, etc., and use jute bags if you going to buy something so that you do not have to take plastic bags because the burning of plastic releases harmful gases or chemicals. They are non-biodegradable substances, some people throw them as waste in ponds, lakes, beaches, etc., and were eaten by aquatic animals which causes the death of the individual. So avoid the products.
5. Transportation: Vehicles increase air pollution by emitting harmful gases, and noise pollution which affects the environment. So avoid transportation as much as you can. Choose walking or cycling if the destination is short which also keeps you fit, and gives contribution to reducing the carbon footprint.   
6. Less usage of electricity: use less electricity, because water is the source of generation of electricity. If we waste electricity then directly it is the misuse of water that affects our environment productivity.
7. Food consumption: consume natural or seasonal fruits, vegetables, etc. instead of frozen ones. Do not waste food, you can have leftover food at night in the morning. Because if you throw food in water, or something else releases methane gas which is very harmful for us.   
8. Plan small family: Small family, less resource consumption, less carbon footprint, that’s how it works in the environmental system.
9. Avoid products that affect wildlife: Affecting wildlife is the crime in today’s time which has been said by seeing decreasing population of wild animals. Avoid purchasing leather bags, carpets, or any other items that are made from wild animal skin. Do stop hunting.  
10. Address the population about sustainable living: if you are well aware of sustainable living, then it is your duty to inform your surrounding people about this. Tell them how it should be used, what to do, or what to not, and their impact on Earth.
11. Create a healthy environment: Some people or we can say most of them are choosing to be minimalist which affects the environment less—minimalist home, minimalist digital life, etc.
12. Use sustainable materials: sustainable materials are those materials that are made from natural resources, can be renewed, and are non-toxic materials. Such as wood, recycled cotton, bamboo, timber, etc.

But in order to adapt to a sustainable life, we often excessive usage of materials due to which depletion of natural resources occurs without paying attention, so we should use the products carefully so that our wildlife remains protected.