Lowering our carbon footprint

Since nearly everyone accepts the reality of climate change these days, there is a growing movement to become more environmentally aware. Many people are looking carefully at how much energy they are consuming including their diet, which has long-term repercussions with the environment. With the increase in global warming indicators, renewable energy options are being contemplated more than ever before. Chief among the earth-friendly options are clean solar energy. There are many little things we can do to reduce our energy consumption but adopting solar is the biggest and most dramatic. With this summer’s dangerously high temperatures, more people are realizing the significance of reducing their carbon emissions. What is clear is that it will take thousands of families and businesses to install solar so that we reduced the amont of fossil fuels that are ignited. We need to take more personal responsibility for our energy choices. With a few easy steps, we can become more conscious environmental citizens. Here are some of the best ideas to be a more responsible environmental citizen:

Add solar panels to the roof of your home

This one can't be stressed enough. Using solar panels to generate your own power sets a great example for your neighborhood and community. Solar panels provide enough energy to supply most homes and you may be able to sell back the surplus electricity to your utility company. If you live in a state with a Net Metering law, you could eliminate your electricity bill or even earn money by selling electricity back to the power grid. Solar energy provides peace of mind for those of us concerned about the earth, but it also provides a very handsome financial benefit as well.

Reduce your carbon footprint with food choices

When possible, eat locally-produced and organic food  It has been estimated that 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions originate from the production and transportation of food. Transporting food requires petroleum-based fuels, and many fertilizers are also fossil fuel-based. Reducing your intake of beef and dairy helps the environment. It takes a lot of resources to raise cows, and it’s especially bad if you purchase beef from somewhere like Brazil, where cattle are grazed on land that used to be tropical forest but was clear-cut for agricultural use. Deforestation is a top contributor to carbon emissions and the resulting climate change.

Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint

There are several other little things you can do to minimize your carbon footprint. Decrease the amount of energy used to pump, treat, and heat water by washing your car less frequently, using climate-appropriate plants in your garden, installing drip irrigation so that plants receive only the water they require and making water-efficient choices when shopping for showerheads, faucet heads, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Estimates suggest that 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from the “provision of goods,” which means the extraction of resources, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of “goods” which include consumer products and packaging, building components, and vehicles, but not including food. By buying used products and reselling or recycling things you no longer use, you reduce your carbon footprint. Whenever possible, support clean energy choices and advocate for clean alternatives to fossil fuels, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric and biomass energy sources.

Now is the time to begin saving money with solar energy!

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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