How to lower your carbon footprint

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

Adding solar panels to the roof of your home or business

This one can't be emphasized enough. Using solar panels to produce your own power sets a great example for your neighborhood and community. Solar panels render 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 discharge your electricity bill or even gain 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 presents a very handsome financial benefit as well in some cases.

Subdue your carbon footprint with food choices

When feasible, eat locally-produced and organic food.  It has been determined that 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions arise from the production and transportation of food. Transporting food demands petroleum-based fuels, and many fertilizers are also fossil fuel-based. Reducing your intake of beef and dairy supports the environment. It takes a lot of support to raise cows, and it’s especially serious 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 application. Deforestation is a top contributor to carbon eruptions and the resulting climate change.

Other ways to overcome your carbon footprint

There are many other little things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Decrease the amount of energy used to pump, treat, and heat water by cleaning your car less frequently, using climate-appropriate plants in your garden, installing drip irrigation so that plants get only the water they require and making water-efficient decisions 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 uprooting of resources, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of “goods” which include consumer goods and packaging, building components, and vehicles, but not including food. By buying used products and reselling or recycling items you no longer use, you reduce your carbon footprint. Whenever possible, promote 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 push 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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