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The importance of reducing your carbon footprint

The importance of reducing your carbon footprint

by Gaby Agbulos

YOU MAY often hear about how important it is to reduce your carbon footprint, but not everyone is aware of what that entails exactly. 

As per Earth.org, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. This included gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). 

It’s important to note that every individual leaves behind a carbon footprint; this is measured, for example, by your daily activities, transportation, and purchases such as food and clothing. 

This is not just limited to individuals; a carbon footprint is also left behind by products, businesses, and entire countries.

Many have since identified the greenhouse gases that come from this carbon footprint to be one of the leading causes of global warming today. 

“As the Earth’s natural resources gradually get depleted, global demand for consumption and production only increases,” writes the website Modeshift.

They further explain that, while the greenhouse effect is essential to maintain conditions needed to sustain life on Earth, there is now an excess of said gases in the atmosphere, largely due to human activity. 

Some activities such as fuel burning, production, and consumption are dispelling more and more greenhouse gases.

In 2022, according to Statista, the greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the Philippines amounted to about 1.22 tons of carbon dioxide, which showed a 2.7% increase from that of last year. 

Climate.gov further reported back in January of 2024 that the Earth’s temperature had risen by an average of 0.11° Fahrenheit or 0.06° Celsius per decade since 1850, adding that the rate of warming since 1982 has become over three times as fast per decade that has passed. 

2023 has also been recorded as the warmest year ever since global records began in 1850. 

Now, more than ever, there is a need to reduce one’s carbon footprint. This, however, is much easier said than done.

Reducing your carbon footprint

No matter how much individuals change in their daily lives, however, bigger changes must also come from those in power to truly reduce the greenhouse gases currently being emitted into the atmosphere. 

One person can avoid plastic their entire life, stop eating animal products, and reduce their waste as much as humanly possible. However, there is still the problem of the one percent flying around in private jets, and companies producing millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide gas per year. 

A study from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) even found that 50% of aviation-related emissions in the US were produced solely by the first percentile of the wealthiest individuals. 

Another study from the newspaper The Guardian found that 200 celebrities and tycoons produced around 415,518 tonnes of carbon dioxide from 44, 739 private jet trips. 

And this was all just in 2023. Those who do use private jets often offset this by purchasing carbon credits, which are credits that are used to fund initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, or by donating to organizations that help to fight against climate change.

Many celebrities, countries, and organizations, have also started making efforts toward carbon offsetting, or toward reducing their carbon footprint altogether. 

The popular band Coldplay, for example, produced 47% less carbon emissions during their Music  Of The Spheres Tour thanks to initiatives like diverting tour waste from landfills, planting one tree for each concert goer resulting in a total of 5 million trees planted, and using an electric battery system with 100% renewable energy for their show’s production.

Another example is Billie Eilish who, for all physical variants of her album “Hit Me Hard And Soft”, used 100% recyclable materials. 

The statement on her website read that the standard black variant was made from 100% recycled black vinyl, while the remaining seven colored vinyl were made from ECO-MIX or BioVinyl. 

“BioVinyl helps reduce carbon emissions by 90 percent vs. virgin vinyl by using non-fossil fuel materials like used cooking oil or industrial waste gases while maintaining the same audio and optical quality as conventional vinyl,” they wrote.

Euronews adds that the use of BioViyl helps to reduce carbon emissions by 90% as compared to standard LPs. 

Meanwhile, the packaging for her vinyl was made from FSC-certified recycled paper or boards made 100% from post-consumer waste and recycled pre-consumer fibers. The ink used was raw plant-based and water-based dispersion varnish. The sleeves for the vinyl were also 100% recycled and reusable. 

Even with shipping, it was guaranteed that all shipped goods would be sent out in 93% recycled and 100% recyclable shipping boxes.

These are just some of the initiatives celebrities are taking to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Many countries are also taking steps toward fighting climate change. The Philippines, for example, previously committed to a projected greenhouse gas emissions reduction and avoidance of 75%, according to the website Climate Promise. 

This comes from the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by the Philippines to the United Nations Development Programme back in April of 2021.

While the world still has a long way to go, awareness surrounding the importance of fighting back against climate change grows stronger and stronger each year. 

It may feel hopeless to reduce your carbon footprint, especially when you know how many millions of metric tons larger corporations are releasing on a daily basis. But change has to start somewhere. 

According to the websites Austin Texas.gov, the Columbia Climate School, and Constellation, some ways to reduce your carbon footprint are the following:

  1. Calculate your carbon footprint or do an energy audit for your home from time to time.
  2. Drive less or opt to carpool or commute.
  3. Eat less animal products and more organic or local food.
  4. Reduce your food waste.
  5. Learn how to compost your organic waste.
  6. Recycle or use reusable items while avoiding disposable ones.
  7. Turn off anything that uses up power when not in use.
  8. Donate the items you no longer use or need.
  9. Bring reusable bags whenever you go out shopping.
  10. Avoid buying from fast fashion brands and instead opt for vintage, recycled, or thrifted clothing. 
  11. Opt for items that require less energy, such as buying a laptop instead of a desktop. 
  12. Advocate for climate change within your country, whether that be on a smaller or larger scale.

Remember: In even the smallest ways, you can make a difference.

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