Our carbon footprint is the direct effect our actions and lifestyle have on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 increases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. We all contribute to global warming every day. Carbon Footprints are made up of two parts, the direct or primary footprint and the indirect or secondary footprint. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels. These are probably the biggest contributors to your ; they include electricity consumption and transportation. The secondary footprint is a measure of indirect CO2 emissions from the entire lifecycle of products we use - from their manufacture to their eventual breakdown in the ecosystem. The greenhouse effect is the increase in Earth's temperature caused by the growing amount of certain gasses in the atmosphere ? nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. These ?Greenhouse gases? have the same effect on Earth as a greenhouse; letting sunlight in and keeping heat from escaping. The greenhouse effect is important to human life; otherwise, it would be too cold to live on the Earth. By burning fossil fuels, we have tremendously increased the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Earth is now heating up excessively, a process called ?global warming.? You can reduce your carbon footprint by changing things that you do in your daily life. These are a few things you can do to reduce your personal carbon footprint: ?Walk to your destination if possible instead of driving. ?Recycle glass, metals, plastics and paper. ?Select the most energy-efficient models when you replace your old appliances. Look for products that have earned the ENERGY STAR? label. ?Turn off and unplug stereos, radios, TVs, and DVDs when you leave home for a few days. These appliances have a stand-by function that uses energy even when they are turned off. ?Only run your dishwasher when full, and let dishes air dry. There are many things you can do to offset your as well; one good choice is to plant a tree! An average tree absorbs more than 650 pounds of CO2 over its lifespan. Trees act as natural filters of our air; through the process of photosynthesis they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their trunk, branches, leaves, and roots while releasing oxygen back out.
The time of year has arrived when school is out and paid time off is adding up, so you're primed to take a vacation. And who can blame you, doesn't everyone love to travel? Unfortunately, is frequently a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Thankfully, there is hope. This guide will help you in crafting a vacation that will not only satisfy your desire for adventure but also the desire to help stop gloabl warming.
Stop Global Warming Travel Tip #1: Seek Out Ecotourism Opportunities
According to The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This concept is based on the intersection of conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. By seeking out ecotourism options, you can reduce your impact, preserving the special qualities of the places to which you were drawn in the first place.
When planning your trip, look for lodging that has a responsible environmental policy. Unfortunately, there is no uniform certification standard from which to judge and "greenwashing" can be a problem, but there are some ways you can decipher industry leaders from wannabes. First, you can start by searching the web for hotels that advertise responsible environmental practices, then either follow up with a phone call or check with a knowledgeable travel agency. Look for some kind of third-party awarded certification. Some of the more well-known certifications are: Energy Star (with a rating of at least 75/100), LEED certified building design, EU Eco-label, Green Globe (Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and expanding to the Caribbean), Green Leaf (Canada), and Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas (a joint effort of the Rainforest Alliance and The International Ecotourism Society). Some establishments may have earned recognition for some of their eco-groovy practices.
Stop Global Warming Travel Tip#2: Get There Responsibly
As the journey to your destination will probably be the most emission-intense portion of your vacation, there are several alternatives for lowering your impact. Flying is by far the most polluting option. Especially if you are traveling in a group, it is far more cost effective (both in dollars and emissions) to go by car. Whenever using a car, it is important to keep the tires inflated, ensuring that the engine need not work any harder - a practice that will reduce emissions and save cash!
Train travel, while often overlooked, is the best option when it comes to making the journey, if you can afford the time. The many benefits of train travel include: social interaction with other passengers and not having to constantly seek out eating establishments, deal with gridlock or hold any concerns about your vehicle.
Whatever transportation method you use, you may choose to offset your carbon emissions by purchasing a carbon neutralization package. This is a great way to actively stop global warming and support companies that are working towards curbing emissions. They will neutralize your carbon emissions by supporting a variety of projects that will offset the amount of carbon your travel produces. Here is one example to check out: www.terrapass.com
Stop Global Warming Travel Tip #3: Lower Your Tourist Impact
Once you arrive at your destination, no matter where you go, there are a number of ways you can reduce your negative tourist impact and your carbon contributions while maximizing your positive influence.
Should your travels find you in an urban setting, try depending on public transportation instead of a rented car or taxis. This will give you a taste of the true flavor of the city while saving you the hassle of navigating traffic and finding parking on foreign streets, not to mention the substantial monetary savings. Many public transit systems even offer weeklong and weekend packages for unlimited travel, a true bargain for the mobile tourist.
Save money on dining by locating the local farmer's market. Besides providing a more authentic local experience, it can help answer such questions as: what grows here in July? Why is this town famous for its specialty cheese or its rhubarb pie? By supporting the farmer's markets, you will get to experience fresh, delicious foods that are specific to the given region. Furthermore, purchasing locally-grown food helps reduce your so-called "food miles", or the distance your food has traveled, a major contributor to greenhouse gases.
In the spirit of adventure, try patronizing some of the local establishments for your eating, drinking and recreational pleasure! Remember to be mindful of delicate ecosystems should your travel take you to a wilderness area. Traveling to forests, beaches, etc. is a privilege and should be treated as such to ensure that you and others can return for a special experience in the years to come. When venturing into the great outdoors, remember to pack out what you brought in, making sure to leave all places in the same condition you found them. Consider non-motorized forms of recreation such as hiking, biking, swimming, sailing or horseback riding - not only will the serenity be refreshing to your ears, but they result in fewer greenhouse gases. Remember, if it has a motor, there is a good chance it is spewing emissions into the atmosphere!
Both John Mclean & Nathan Brown are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.