Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Look at Carbon Footprints

 

What are Carbon Footprints? No doubt you are hearing more about this thing called carbon footprints. What is it and what part can you take to reduce your footprints?

 

Carbon footprints have been defined as "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008). It is the effect human activity has on the climate. It includes things like fumes emitted from your vehicle, emissions from factories, or the application of  fertilizers and pesticides.

 

Here are ways you can reduce your footprints and walk gently on Mother Earth. The steps you take to reduce and reuse will affect global greenhouse gas. You will also reap the cost savings and improved health.  

 

1) Stop spraying anything in the air. Even inside your home, fumes from sprays seep outside adding to greenhouse gasses. Sprays linger inside your home for two to three days. You breathe those fumes adding to the bio-accumulation of toxins in your body. Don't use sprays.  

 

2) Buy used items. Your recycling center can teach you how to make tables from solid doors; repaint cabinets rather than buy new and refinish sinks and tubs. I find great bargains at second hand stores for furniture, clothing and such. Used furnishings have off gassed the fumes from adhesives, paints and finishes so they are no longer toxic to your body. When you paint or refinish, use only eco friendly products.   

 

3) Car pool the kids, combine errands, bike or take the bus to reduce emissions and save gas. Reduce driving speed 5 MPH to boost your gas mileage by one-half mile per gallon. Accelerate slowly and use my FiltaKleen for another 2 to 3 MPG for a total of 3 to 4 additional miles per gallon. All of these save you $400 to $500 a year. FiltsKleen is only $44 a bottle and treats 1200 gallons of fuel. My mops save you another $400 during their life span. Both combine for a savings of nearly $1000 for only $74 cost.

 

4) Always wait 30 days before buying anything that isn't immediately necessary. Resist impulse purchases at the stores and don't grocery shop hungry. You will be pleased with the amount of money you save. Mother Earth will love you as well.  Take reusable bags with you when you shop.  

 

5) Before you buy anything new always do an online search for an eco-friendly alternative. Type something like "eco-friendly bedding" into your browser.

 

Join other like-minded folks in your community to spread the word on sustainable living.  The green spirit is growing!

 

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2009 All rights reserved worldwide.